The Mediterranean gateway for advanced interconnection services.
Inspired by the spirit of the Argonauts – a group of experts collaborating toward a common goal – Argo Alliance is the strategic agreement between Namex and TOP-IX, two long-standing Italian non-profit IXPs. It is an alliance that pools resources and services to generate value for their respective communities.
The alliance model:
two networks, one vision
This alliance was created to promote innovation and facilitate high-performance interconnections, ensuring a digital backbone that is resilient, neutral, and future-ready.
Argo stands as a federated and distributed model.
Argo Alliance Services
Services are delivered through a One-Stop-Shop model: a single administrative environment that simplifies contracts and procedures, thanks to the shared non-profit and consortium nature of TOP-IX and NAMEX.
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Distributed Interconnection
Access to a network of 16 locations across Turin, Milan, Rome, Naples, and Bari (with Genoa and Tirana as the next steps). We simplify direct connections for institutions, enterprises, and cloud providers, creating a high-performance ecosystem that eliminates latency and geographical bottlenecks.
Data Center & Colocation
A strategic physical presence where it truly matters. We offer colocation, cross-connect, and remote hands services in high-level facilities located in Turin (2 sites), Rome, Bari, and Naples.
Time as a Service (TaaS)
High-accuracy time distribution via optical fiber, referenced to INRIM's national time standard UTC(IT), for mission-critical applications (broadcasting, smart grids, telecommunications, high-frequency trading), offering greater security and reliability than traditional satellite systems.
An integrated and simplified ecosystem
The value of Argo Alliance lies in the structural integration of the two consortia.
Through the One-Stop-Shop model, Argo provides a uniform management framework, overcoming administrative and technical fragmentation. Thanks to the shared non-profit and consortium nature of TOP-IX and NAMEX, members benefit from a single point of contact, consistent rules, and coordinated access to all available services.
Unified administrative environment
One contract, one point of contact, and unified procedures
Standardized rules
Consistent technical standards to ensure seamless access to federated services across all locations
Neutrality
A transparent, non-profit approach that prioritizes ecosystem growth
Evolving the network
We design and test the innovations that will redefine interconnection standards, ensuring a cutting-edge infrastructure capable of anticipating the digital challenges of the future.
Quantum Key Distribution Testing
As part of the QUID (Quantum Italy Deployment) project, we developed a Proof of Concept (PoC) on the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) within a conventional telecommunications environment in the Rome metropolitan area, in collaboration with Adtran between two sites located 30 km apart.
The PoC enabled the evaluation of QKD device performance in generating quantum keys, which were subsequently used for authentication between two endpoints and Layer 1 encryption of classical traffic.
Founding Members
Through this partnership, Argo Alliance acts as a catalyst for technological development and interconnection efficiency across the Mediterranean basin.
NAMEX
ROMA INTERNET EXCHANGE POINT
A neutral and non-profit peering point, as well as a key node for the Mediterranean.
www.namex.it
TOP-IX
TORINO PIEMONTE INTERNET EXCHANGE
A consortium focused on interconnection and industrial research, connecting the Northwest to the world.
www.top-ix.org
