Global Internet Exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX has announced a partnership with Elea Data Centers to establish their first Internet Exchanges in Brazil and South America. Elea Data Centers, a provider of sustainable digital infrastructure and colocation services, will host DE-CIX Points of Presence (PoPs) in its São Paulo (SPO1) and Rio de Janeiro (RJO1) facilities.
This collaboration is expected to significantly enhance the region’s Internet connectivity and interconnection ecosystem.
The new Brazilian IXs are set to be operational by early 2025, marking a milestone for the country’s growing digital infrastructure. These IXs will integrate into DE-CIX’s global ecosystem, offering a high-performance and secured interconnection platform for a wide range of clients, including cloud service providers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content delivery networks, and businesses of various sizes. The DE-CIX platform will allow organizations to establish direct connections with cloud providers through the DE-CIX Cloud Exchange, enhancing the already expansive cloud service provider ecosystem in Brazil, which includes major players like AWS, Microsoft, and Oracle.
Elea Data Centers operates across Brazil’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets, with nine data centers in five metropolitan areas. It is the only colocation provider in the country with such a vast geographic footprint, giving it a competitive edge in serving the diverse needs of Brazil’s rapidly expanding digital economy. Elea’s infrastructure is powered entirely by renewable energy, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainability while meeting the increasing demands of businesses, cloud providers, and artificial intelligence customers.
Elea’s Chairman, Alessandro Lombardi, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with DE-CIX and introduce their initial IXs to Brazil and South America. This cooperation enhances our services and reaffirms our commitment to neutral, interconnected, and state-of-the-art digital infrastructure.”
Mr. Lombardi noted that Elea’s platform, which already provides access to Brazil’s IX.BR, will be further strengthened by DE-CIX’s interconnection services, positioning Elea as a key player in South America’s digital landscape.
São Paulo vs Rio de Janeiro
For DE-CIX, this move is a strategic step in supporting Brazil’s ongoing digital transformation. DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanov highlighted the importance of local, regional, and global interconnection opportunities for ISPs and businesses. “ISPs and enterprises will now have access to content, cloud, and networks not yet available in Brazil, particularly with the USA and Southern Europe,” said Mr. Ivanov. He also noted that DE-CIX’s services would be the first of their kind in the country, offering a wide range of enterprise-grade interconnection and cloud connectivity solutions.
Brazil, with a population exceeding 215 million and an Internet penetration rate of 81%, represents one of the largest cloud and content markets in Latin America. The country is experiencing rapid growth in its digital economy, spurred by increasing data center investments and the need for more advanced cloud and AI infrastructure. Brazil’s strategic location along submarine cable routes linking North America, Europe, and South America would provide it with a unique advantage in accessing global network diversity and density. This would position the country to meet the rising demand for low-latency connectivity, which is critical for the localization of data, applications, and cloud services.
While São Paulo has historically been Brazil’s primary data center hub, Rio de Janeiro is also emerging as a major player due to significant investments in modern facilities. These developments reflect the broader trends of digital growth and the increasing importance of artificial intelligence and cloud computing in Brazil’s tech landscape.
The collaboration between DE-CIX and Elea Data Centers is poised to bolster Brazil’s role as a key digital hub in Latin America, offering businesses and service providers a robust platform to meet the evolving demands of cloud connectivity and digital transformation in the region.
