The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has announced major upgrades at the center3 Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in Riyadh, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure and supporting the country’s Vision 2030 agenda.
center3, a subsidiary of STC Group and a leading data centre and digital enabler, launched the Riyadh IXP in 2024. Since then, it has quickly become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s connectivity ecosystem. The latest upgrades expand the availability of 100GE ports and introduce 400GE connectivity services, meeting soaring demand for high-capacity, low-latency interconnection from global networks, content providers, and enterprises.
“Demand for high-speed, resilient connectivity in the Kingdom continues to grow, and these upgrades ensure that the Riyadh IXP remains at the forefront of regional interconnection,” said Halil Kama, LINX’s Director for the Middle East.
These improvements position Riyadh as a rising global digital hub, particularly as AI, smart city initiatives, and cloud adoption accelerate across the Middle East. The enhanced infrastructure will not only attract international technology firms but also provide the scalability and performance needed for AI-driven applications.
The move aligns with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national strategy to diversify its economy and place digital transformation at the centre of development. center3 is also accelerating its data centre expansion, targeting 1GW of total capacity by 2030, backed by over US$3 billion already invested and another $10 billion planned. Its carrier-neutral ecosystem is designed to deliver scalability, sustainability, and reliability for enterprises, hyperscalers, and government operations.
LINX’s partnership with center3—dating back to the launch of the Jeddah IXP in 2019—has been central to advancing Saudi Arabia’s interconnection landscape. By enabling next-generation connectivity, LINX and center3 are setting new regional benchmarks for future-ready internet infrastructure.
