Neutral IXs: The backbone driving the growth of digital ecosystems in the US

A new study highlights the pivotal role that Internet Exchanges play in developing digital ecosystems across the US, emphasizing how in particular neutral, distributed IXs have transformed digital infrastructure.

As the demand for low-latency, resilient connectivity rises due to technological advancements like cloud services, telemedicine, and AI, IXs have become central to ensuring seamless data flows. The study “Navigating the digital future: Neutral Internet Exchanges as catalysts for ecosystem growth” examines the evolution of specific metro markets in the US and reveals how IXs that are operated by an independent entity according to the data center and carrier neutral IX model foster greater network density and redundancy.

Greater resiliency and scalability

Unlike IXs owned by data center operators or carriers, neutral IXs are more accessible across multiple facilities, promoting diversity and avoiding vendor lock-in. This flexibility encourages businesses to expand their interconnection strategies, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs. New York, a key focus of the study, exemplifies the benefits of this approach, boasting the highest number of IX-connected networks, largely thanks to its reliance on neutral IXs.

The study shows that distributed, neutral IXs are crucial for sustaining and expanding digital ecosystems, benefiting enterprises, network operators, and data centers alike. This collaborative model allows for greater resiliency and scalability, powering the growth of the digital economy.

Download the study

You can download the executive summary of the study from the link below. For the full version, please fill in the form and we’ll email you a link to a copy.