To meet our team contact us at: Tel: +31 20 592 8263 or email: nl.info@telecity.com www.telecitygroup.nl Outstanding data centres. Expertise you can trust. TelecityGroup has been acquired by Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq:EQIX) the interconnection platform for the world s leading businesses. www.telecitygroup.com De Gooyer Windmill, Netherlands
Equinix Telecities Helping you connect to: AMSTERDAM
Contents 1 OVERVIEW 2 4 6 8 AMSTERDAM: A BACKGROUND A TRULY INTERNATIONAL HUB DIGITALLY CONNECTED TRAVELLING TO AMSTERDAM? In the water is the mistress and the land the vassal. Felix Marti-Ibanez
1 Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: OVERVIEW Originally a fishing village in the twelfth century, has grown to become a flourishing commercial and digital hub. Home to some of the world s largest corporations and most exciting digital start-ups, is the Netherlands capital city, with a population of around 780,000. Originally named Amstelredamme, literally, a dam in the river Amstel, the city is actually made up of 90 islands, linked together by a network of over 1,500 bridges. Did you know? Bike to person ratio in one million bikes to 780,000 people. 1,OOO, OOO +31 is the international dialing code for The Netherlands, 20 is the area code for. Percentage of English speaking mers. % 9.5Mbps is the average broadband connection speed in. + 3 1 9.5 2 0
2 Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: AMSTERDAM: A BACKGROUND is the largest city in the Netherlands. Home to world famous historical sites, illustrious museums and a thriving culture, there s something for everyone in one of Europe s most famous cities. Key stat The GDP of is around 35 billion Euros, accounting for over 5% of Netherlands entire GDP. 35bn Did you know? is built entirely on huge stakes driven into the ground. Its central station has 6,000 of them keeping it up.
Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: 3 Out and about Visitors can take in the Van Gogh Museum and the Royal Palace while the Anne Frank House remains a must see for all first time visitors to the city. There are also numerous fine-dining options. s restaurant scene features Michelin-starred offerings such as Vinkeles, La Rive, and Rogier van Dam s Lastage, all of which are located in the city center. Political landscape A constitutional monarchy, the Netherlands is usually governed by a coalition of different political parties. The three most dominant parties are traditionally the Christian Democratic Appeal, the Labour Party and the People s Party for Freedom and Democracy. Although is the capital, the Dutch Government actually sits in The Hague in the province of South Holland. Transport Schipol airport (Europe s fifth largest airport) and port provide exceptional international transport links. Combined with a population that is multilingual and the city s business-friendly economy and infrastructure, global businesses continue to be drawn to. Key exports The city s key businesses are finance, fashion, beer and flowers. Tulips are probably the most famous of all s exports - the Netherlands supplies over 70% of the world s fresh flowers market. Heineken meanwhile, the world s largest export brewery, sells to 150 countries around the world. Economy As home to the world s first ever stock exchange, it s little surprise that is a major player in the business world. The GDP of is around 35 billion Euros, accounting for over 5% of the Netherland s entire GDP. Key fact Tulips are probably the most famous of all s exports - the Netherlands supplies over 70% of the world s fresh flowers. Schiphol International Airport Europe s fifth largest airport. 70%
4 Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: A TRULY INTERNATIONAL HUB A genuinely international city, Holland s socially progressive attitude has made a crucial European business center and flourishing digital hub. Its location gives it easy access to various European markets, and the city plays host to many major European and global companies. Key stat The Dutch software sector alone is worth 25 billion, representing 2.8% of the Netherlands GDP. 25bn Did you know? Measured by square kilometers, has the highest number of museums of all cities in the world. Overall there are 51 museums in the city.
Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: 5 Business landscape According to the Financial Times, is the most business-friendly city in Europe due to the large number of jobs created by foreign direct investment, the growing number of high-tech companies and the ease of doing business in the region. Its excellent tax climate and highly educated workforce also make it an appealing destination for companies. As a result of its openness to global trade and investment,, and the Netherlands as a whole, has established a transparent and efficient regulatory and entrepreneurial environment. The home of major corporations Large corporations and banks headquartered in include ABN AMRO, Akzo Nobel, Heineken, INGroup, Ahold, TomTom, Delta Lloyd Group and Philips as well as major media and entertainment companies such as MTV. In total, seven of the world s top 500 companies also call home. The Metropolitan Area is rapidly becoming the software and IT capital of Europe with more than 50% of all Forbes 2,000 companies active in ICT having a presence in the Area. The Dutch software sector alone is worth 25 billion, representing 2.8% of the Netherlands GDP. Key digital businesses The affordable studio space also makes a digital start-up s dream and plays host to many notable technology newcomers such as ebuddy, Booking.com, WeTransfer and Twirus. StartupBootcamp has an HQ, providing funding and mentoring schemes and hosting investor events for start-ups looking to grow. Business subsidies The regulatory landscape in is extremely amenable with subsidies aimed at encouraging cooperation between businesses from different countries available. The Small Business Innovation Research Programme (SBIR) has also been set up by the Dutch government for businesses that put forward innovative solutions for social issues such as transport and security. Finance is home to the oldest stock exchange in the world. Now known as the Euronext, it is the fifth largest exchange in the world with a market capitalization of nearly $3 trillion thanks to recent mergers, most notably with the New York Stock Exchange Group in 2007. s financial service sector employs around 10% of s entire workforce and over 70 international banks operate in the city. Home of major corporations INGroup Head Office based in.
6 Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: DIGITALLY CONNECTED has long been considered the epicenter of European connectivity thanks to the Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), the fastest digital exchange platform in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Key stat In total 98% of all Dutch households have broadband internet connections. 98% Did you know? The Dutch are the tallest people in the world. The average Dutchman is just over 6 feet (1.83m), while Dutch women average 5-foot-7 (1.7m). 1.83m 1.7m
Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: 7 internet exchange The exchange connects over 470 carriers, Internet Service Providers and other internet-related companies. Thanks to the AMS-IX, the Metropolitan Area hopes to connect every business and household to a high-speed fiber optic network by 2015. A connected city The Netherlands established its sixth millionth broadband connection in 2009 and enjoys the fastest internet service in Europe, boasting average speeds of 9.5Mbps. In total 98% of all Dutch households have broadband internet connections. Cloud friendly The Dutch government actively encourages the uptake of cloud services; ensuring that a solid foundation is in place for their usage, by actively promoting the widespread availability of their services and through the optimal use of significant European developments. Green IT program With IT responsible for around 10% of s electricity consumption, the region has introduced a Green IT program aimed at driving smart and sustainable energy practices in the city. More than just making the sector more energy efficient in general, Green IT also aims to change mobility patterns, explore the use of sustainable energy sources and improve energy efficiency in houses and offices. Technology firsts s Airport Schiphol is the first major European airport to offer free wireless internet. Key fact s Airport Schiphol is the first major European airport to offer free wireless internet. Internet exchange The Metropolitan Area.
8 Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: TRAVELLING TO AMSTERDAM? Make the most out of your trip to with these essential tips and map. Key stat Normal practice in restaurants is to round up to the nearest whole number of Euros, so that the tip is about 5%. 5% Location Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the northwest, Belgium to the south and Germany to the east. Sweden Finland Ireland UK Belgium Netherlands Germany France Spain Italy
Equinix Telecities. Helping you connect to: 9 Visa requirements In order to enter the Netherlands from the USA, Canada, Australia and the majority of Europe, a valid passport is the only requirement for a stay of up to three months. Tipping All prices in the Netherlands by law include tax and tips. Normal practice in restaurants is to round up to the nearest whole number of Euros, so that the tip is about 5%. Further information For further information on all tax and regulation matters, as well as for details on available subsidies, you can visit the Dutch business information site: www.answersforbusiness.nl No vaccinations are required and the emergency services contact number is 112. Did you know? In May 2011, the Netherlands was ranked as the happiest country in the world. Equinix Telecity in Westhaven City Attractions A B C D Central Station Science Center Nemo Anne Frank House Magna Plaza 3 E22 C D A B A10 E35 E Van Gogh Museum E 1 Equinix Telecity Data Centers 1 Science Park A4 Amstel 4 Diemen 2 3 4 5 Southeast AMS 2 Gyroscoopweg Amstel Business Park Southeast AMS 5 Schiphol International Airport E19 A9 Amstelveen A2 E35 2 5