24 March 2022

A new interconnection ecosystem for the metropolitan region of Central Germany: DE-CIX opens Internet Exchange in Leipzig

Frankfurt am Main / Leipzig, 24 March 2022: DE-CIX, the world’s leading operator of Internet Exchanges (IXs), announces it is establishing a new location in Leipzig. DE-CIX Leipzig is the first Internet Exchange for the German states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia and will be located in the data centers of envia TEL and PŸUR Business. Both operators will also act as resellers for DE-CIX’s interconnection services. DE-CIX Leipzig is scheduled to go into operation in Q4 2022. Through DE-CIX Leipzig, the region will be connected to one of the world’s largest Internet Exchanges – DE-CIX Frankfurt. The direct connection to DE-CIX will also result in the new IX being integrated into a global digital ecosystem with major international players such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Akamai, Netflix, and Facebook. In addition, DE-CIX Leipzig will reduce the packet run-time between the connected companies, and lead to a more stable network for applications like cloud computing, VoIP connections, video, gaming, and music streaming.

“DE-CIX Leipzig will create a new ecosystem for the local digital economy and improve the stability and flexibility of the regional Internet infrastructure. The aim is to strengthen digital value creation, expand the infrastructure, and attract new Internet companies to the region. DE-CIX Leipzig means a boost in innovation for the development of the digital economy,” says Dr. Thomas King, CTO at DE-CIX.

By enabling local data exchange, the new Internet Exchange will further improve the Internet quality in the region and therefore for connected companies, as well as contributing to economic growth. It will also promote the use of digital services for companies, public administration, municipalities, and schools, as well as digital work and leisure offerings.

“DE-CIX Leipzig connects us with international data exchange points via the shortest route. Let’s compare DE-CIX Leipzig with air traffic: The data exchange point in Leipzig is like a destination that now has direct routes coming in from all over the world. Transfer airports are no longer needed. This means that in the future, data will no longer have to make a stopover at a remote exchange point; instead, there will be a direct connection to eastern Germany. This makes the Internet connections for the connected companies, municipalities, and schools in the region low-latency and thus faster, more stable, and of higher quality,” says Stephan Drescher, Managing Director of envia TEL.

Robert Butz, Managing Director of HLkomm, explains: “Fast and stable Internet connections are an indispensable basis for successful digitalization and value creation. The DE-CIX Leipzig Internet Exchange will enable us to combine high-performance Internet connections with security and cloud solutions on the basis of our data centers.” With its PŸUR Business brand, HLkomm from Leipzig is known in central Germany primarily as a carrier and solutions provider. “Through the nationwide fiber optic cable network of the Tele Columbus Group, our customers based outside of the region will also benefit from the new premium connection,” adds Butz.