Nokia has been selected by INX-ZA, the Internet Exchange Point (IXP) division of the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA), to overhaul its exchange infrastructure across South Africa. The modernization will introduce new 400GE and expanded 100GE services, strengthening the country’s internet backbone and providing faster, more resilient connectivity for businesses and end-users.
The initiative will begin in Johannesburg, home to JINX, Africa’s oldest IXP, which has maintained 100% uptime since its 1996 launch. INX-ZA plans to expand JINX from seven to ten data centers by year-end, supported by thirty high-performance Nokia platforms in the first deployment phase. Upgrades will also extend to Cape Town and Durban, bolstering connectivity nationwide.
Powered by Nokia’s 7250 Interconnect Routers and Service Router Operating System (SR OS), the upgrade enables scalable, high-density infrastructure designed to reduce reliance on aging platforms and international bandwidth. By connecting exchange points with 400GE links, INX-ZA will support ISPs, cloud providers, and enterprises with higher-capacity, lower-latency services.
Leaders from both organizations emphasized the strategic value of the project. INX-ZA General Manager Nishal Goburdhan noted that the upgrade is about “reimagining how South Africa connects,” enabling sustainable and future-ready digital services. Nokia’s Toni Pellegrino highlighted the role of IXPs in powering Africa’s digital economy, stressing the importance of resilient, open, and scalable infrastructure.
This project not only reinforces South Africa’s digital ecosystem but also sets a blueprint for modernizing legacy internet exchanges across the African continent.
