UAE-IX Powered by DE-CIX Upgrades to 800 Gigabit Ethernet, Strengthening Middle East Connectivity
UAE-IX currently connects over 110 networks, handles peak traffic exceeding 1 Terabit per second (a 35% increase in 2025), and provides 6.6 terabits of connected customer capacity, reinforcing its position as the largest IX in the region.
The UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX is now fully capable of supporting 800 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) access, marking a significant upgrade in its interconnection capabilities. In addition, the Internet Exchange (IX) now offers 400 GE ports, making it the only IX in the Middle East to provide such high-bandwidth access. These announcements were made by DE-CIX, the world’s leading IX operator, and datamena, du’s carrier-neutral data center and connectivity platform serving the Middle East and Africa.
UAE-IX currently connects over 110 networks, handles peak traffic exceeding 1 Terabit per second (a 35% increase in 2025), and provides 6.6 terabits of connected customer capacity, reinforcing its position as the largest IX in the region. Upcoming cloud on-ramps will provide direct access to Alibaba Cloud and Google Cloud, complementing existing connectivity to AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud.
Established in 2012 and operated by DE-CIX on behalf of datamena, the UAE-IX functions as a regional hub for connectivity. Alongside its peering exchange, it offers enterprise-grade interconnection services such as Cloud Exchange, cloud routing, and connectivity to Microsoft 365 to ensure seamless application performance. The platform’s readiness for 800 GE and availability of 400 GE access positions it to meet anticipated bandwidth growth across the GCC over the next decade.
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, highlighted the IX’s role in providing low-latency, high-performance interconnection for the UAE and the broader region, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with datamena. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, noted that the enhanced capacity and expanded cloud access demonstrate a strong commitment to reinforcing UAE-IX as a leading interconnection hub, supporting a resilient, secure, and high-performance digital ecosystem.
DE-CIX, which operates the largest neutral interconnection ecosystem globally, has been active in the Middle East for over a decade and manages IXs in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UAE. The UAE-IX operates under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model, offering a fully managed set of services—including installation, maintenance, provisioning, and marketing support—allowing carriers, data centers, and other partners to establish their own interconnection platforms fully operated by DE-CIX.
