Marco Kuiper
I’m an explorer, and I think the urge to explore is important in technology as well as travel
Who is NL-ix?
Behind the world of the Internet, behind the world of fibers, protocols, peers and terabits, are actual people making it all work. But who are these people? In other words: Who is NL-ix?
Today: 🤝 Marco Kuiper, Network Engineering & Customer Support
I live in Voorburg now, very close to our office, and have always lived, studied and worked in and around The Hague. But I’m also an explorer, I love travelling and finding out about new people and places, and seeing a new part of the world. I was in Jordan last October, I’ve travelled to very different places like Patagonia, Japan and Iran, and I’m hoping to visit Georgia this year. There is always something new to find out about, whether it’s a unique culture or beautiful nature. I think that urge to explore is important in technology as well as travel; there is always some new technology or solution there to be discovered, and that’s a journey you can undertake on behalf of a customer.
The Internet has always been part of my working life. I started work with an EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) software firm where I began to learn a bit about networking. We used X.400 networks for EDI messaging, and I remember trying to connect that to the Internet, more for fun than for business. I also remember feeling very lucky because my neighbourhood was one of the first to offer fixed cable rather than dial-up Internet connections.
My connection with NL-ix goes way back, as I studied Computer Sciences with several of the original team. When I was looking for a change of job 12 years ago they said ‘Why not come and work with us?’ and I took the job and have never looked back.
I’m an explorer, and I think the urge to explore is important in technology as well as travel
Marco Kuiper
I enjoy my work and I think I fit in well with the team. NetOps manage the core switches and the backbone. The Field team visit the data centers, run the cables and install the equipment. I and my team manage the support tickets, coordinate and implement customer orders, whether they are straightforward peering ports or more complex services like Elastic Interconnect. The level of customer knowledge varies a lot – some know a lot and others need more advice, and I enjoy the variety.
I was staff member number 9, and now we have almost 50. But despite all of that the growth I would say the business has kept it’s friendly informal atmosphere. And even more importantly it has maintained its commitment to new solutions and to customers. If I had to pick one word for NL-ix I would say the company is ‘committed’ – to making customers happy and to making the business successful. That is very important to me.
Please contact Marco if you have any questions.
