An announcement about a new Internet Exchange in …

702 Communications of Fargo-Moorhead announces the establishment of a new Internet Exchange, FMIX, in its hybrid data center in Fargo.
Peering reduces latency and enhances end-user experience. Connection to the FMIX will allow partners to directly exchange traffic, bypassing long Internet routes.
“We’re excited to have the FMIX switch in our data center,” explained Brian Crommett, CEO of 702 Communications. “With Hurricane Electric, 702 Communications, Paul Bunyan Communications and Park Region Telephone already connected to the exchange, our users are all essentially right next door.”
Steve Howard, the Information Technology and Development Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications
agrees,” Paul Bunyan Communications is happy to connect to the Fargo-Moorhead Internet Exchange. This is a great service that will benefit internet users throughout the region.”
FMIX
The FMIX was founded to allow free peering between carriers and customers. For questions on the
exchange, email info@fmix.com.

Here’s a quick definition of an Internet Exchange from Wikipedia…

An Internet exchange point (IX or IXP) is the physical infrastructure through which Internet service providers (ISPs) and content delivery networks (CDNs) exchange Internet traffic among their networks (autonomous systems) and peer together.^[1] Typically, IXPs occupy standalone buildings with their own switches.^[2]

IXPs reduce the portion of an ISP’s traffic that must be delivered via their upstream transit providers, thereby reducing the average per-bit delivery cost of their service. Furthermore, the increased number of paths available through the IXP improves routing efficiency and fault-tolerance. In addition, IXPs exhibit the characteristics of what economists call the network effect.

Some readers may be acquainted with MICE (Midwest Internet Cooperative Exchange), a similar initiative