The UAE-IX, powered by DE-CIX in partnership with datamena and du, has become the first and only Internet Exchange (IX) in the Middle East to offer 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) access. This significant upgrade reinforces UAE-IX’s status as the largest IX in the region, boosting peak traffic capacity and connected networks.
Since its establishment in 2012, UAE-IX has grown to connect nearly 110 networks—including ISPs, global enterprises, cloud providers, carriers, and content platforms. Over the past year, its connected customer capacity surged by 30%, adding two terabits to reach a total capacity exceeding six terabits.
Beyond traditional peering services, UAE-IX provides enterprise-grade interconnection solutions such as Cloud Exchange, cloud routing, and application-layer connectivity including Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS), catering to diverse digital ecosystem needs.
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, described UAE-IX as a global internet hub delivering resilient, low-latency connectivity across the GCC, with this upgrade positioning it to meet rising digital demand. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, emphasized the milestone as a transformative leap supporting the region’s digital growth and maintaining UAE-IX’s pioneering role.
DE-CIX continues to expand its presence across the Middle East, operating Internet Exchanges in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Turkiye, and the UAE, and offering DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) to accelerate regional digital transformation.
