DE-CIX Frankfurt, one of the world’s largest Internet Exchanges, has set a new record for data throughput. At 9:21 p.m. (CEST) on April 16, during the high-tension quarter-final second leg of the UEFA Champions League, data transmission peaked at a staggering 17.09 terabits per second (Tbit/s).
This milestone would illustrate not only the vast capabilities of modern networks but also highlight the growing demand for high-quality streaming services.
The 17 Tbit/s milestone translates to the simultaneous streaming of approximately 5.7 million high-definition videos. To put this in more tangible terms, if each bit of data were printed on an A4 page, the resulting stack would reach a height of over 420 kilometers – nearly 50 times taller than Mount Everest.
This surge in data traffic represents a 20 percent increase since the start of 2023 and an almost 60 percent rise from early 2022. Over the past five years, data throughput at DE-CIX Frankfurt has nearly tripled, underscoring the explosive growth and critical importance of digital connectivity in today’s world.
Dr. Thomas King, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at DE-CIX, links this surge in data flow directly to the increasing popularity of online streaming, particularly for live sports events. “As we approach the European Championships, it’s clear that Germany is gripped by soccer fever. The UEFA Champions League matches last year already demonstrated their draw as a streaming magnet, and this trend is only strengthening. The flexibility to rewatch game highlights and the convenience of accessing content on any device add significant appeal to online viewing.”
DE-CIX Achievements in 2023/2024
Founded in 1995, the DE-CIX interconnection ecosystem links hundreds of network operators (carriers), Internet service providers (ISPs), content providers, and corporate networks from over 100 countries. DE-CIX manages over 50 locations worldwide, including in Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. It is accessible from data centers located in more than 600 cities globally. As of 2023, DE-CIX in Frankfurt, Germany, boasts almost 1100 connected networks and a data volume of nearly 40 exabytes annually, making it one of the largest Internet exchanges worldwide.
DE-CIX achieved notable growth and innovation recently, expanding its global footprint and enhancing connectivity solutions across diverse markets. In 2023, DE-CIX formed a strategic partnership with Capcon Networks in the United States, establishing a channel partnership to optimize services for the rural telecommunications market. This collaboration led to the creation of Connect-IX, a transport-to-peering product designed to improve connectivity and efficiency in rural areas by facilitating direct traffic exchange.
Simultaneously, DE-CIX continued its expansion in Europe with the launch of new Internet Exchanges in Helsinki, Finland, named HE-CIX, and additional IXs in Esbjerg and Copenhagen, Denmark. These new IXs are based on DE-CIX’s Apollon interconnection and cloud platform, which supports businesses in managing their hybrid and multi-cloud scenarios. The expansion would not only broaden DE-CIX’s reach but also enhance its service offerings with the introduction of InterconnectionFLEX in Denmark.
Moreover, DE-CIX and SwissIX collaborated to upgrade Switzerland’s largest IX, migrating 220 networks to the DE-CIX Apollon platform, while in Southeast Asia, DE-CIX announced a joint venture, PT DE-CIX Indonesia, with PT IDMarco Digital Solusi to establish a distributed IX in Jakarta, further connecting the region’s metropolitan markets.
DE-CIX also marked its entry into the Mexican market by launching Internet Exchanges in Mexico City and Queretaro, hosted in KIO data centers. This move aims to provide secure, high-performance interconnectivity for local and international networks. Additionally, in partnership with Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, DE-CIX recently launched the Pakistan Internet Exchange in Karachi, introducing the nation’s first carrier-neutral IX, which connects locally and to DE-CIX Frankfurt.
Lastly, in a significant development for Iraq, DE-CIX partnered with IRAQ-IXP to open the country’s first Internet Exchange in Baghdad. This initiative promises to revolutionize connectivity within Iraq, providing neutral, seamless interconnection for regional networks. These achievements underscore DE-CIX’s commitment to enhancing global Internet infrastructure and connectivity, fostering digital growth and resilience worldwide.
