An established leader in delivering integrated computing and network services to major organisations, midsized businesses and wholesale customers, Colt's membership adds a 22 country-wide European network to the alliance, delivering customers direct fibre connections to 19,800 buildings and Colt's 20 carrier neutral data centres.

Diane Hodnett, CEO of METRO2C's founder Sea Fibre Networks, said: "Collaborating with Colt gives customers access to an unparalleled portfolio of business communication services including application, cloud and content delivery to 41 major European cities. Colt's membership underscores the METRO2C Alliance's strategy of working with best-in-class connectivity providers and data centre operators to support the growing data demands of enterprises and consumers."

Ken Sherry, Country Manager - Ireland, at Colt said: "Through the METRO2C Alliance, Colt continues to expand access to its integrated network and IT services portfolio. Members and enterprises will benefit from access to Colt's information delivery platform, combining network and IT infrastructure with expertise in IT managed services, networking and communication solutions to help grow revenues."

In response to the significantly expanding data needs of enterprises, demand for high performance, high bandwidth international network connectivity and data centre services is growing. In the Digital Age all business is global and the members of the alliance have been selected for their extended reach, quality of service and flexibility in delivering the end customer a tailored product, which can be replicated across multiple territories.