History

Northwest Access Exchange started as an idea at Portland State University in 2001 and grew to involve Oregon Health & Science University. On January 1st 2014 operation of NWAX transitioned from OHSU/PSU over to a new independent not for profit 501(c)(6) organization that was formed to operate the exchange going forward. The new entity is operated by volunteers from our membership base, the board of directors and the executive director.
Vector
January 1, 2001

Project defined at PSU

January 1, 2001
August 8, 2001

www.nwax.net domain registered

August 8, 2001
May 14, 2010

AS6939/Hurricane joins NWAX

May 14, 2010
July 25, 2013

Articles of Incorporation of new entity filed

July 25, 2013
November 14, 2013

First members meeting

November 14, 2013
September 28, 2014

AS2906/Netflix joins NWAX

September 28, 2014
March 13, 2016

New Hardware arrives for update

March 13, 2016
May 19, 2022

NWAX hires first Executive Director, Amber Pham

May 19, 2022
June 21, 2022

AS21928/T-Mobile - First mobile carrier joins NWAX

June 21, 2022
October 2025

Long term IRUs secured for fiber ring

October 2025
February 2026

Hardware update brings 400G ports

February 2026
Traffic Graph