- First and only 400 GE access in the Middle East strengthens UAE-IX’s role as the region’s top peering hub.
- Connected capacity surged by 2 Tbps over the past year, now exceeding 6 Tbps across nearly 110 networks.
What happened: Middle East’s largest IX gets 400GE upgrade
DE-CIX, the world-leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator, in partnership with Datamena(du’s carrier-neutral data centre and connectivity arm), has launched 400 Gigabit Ethernet (400 GE) ports at UAE-IX in Dubai—the first IX in the Middle East to offer this class of access . Since its 2012 inception, UAE-IX has grown to serve approximately 110 participants—including ISPs, cloud and content providers, carriers, and enterprises—with more than 6 Tbps of connected capacity. That capacity has risen by around 2 Tbps, or 30%, in just twelve months.
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, described the hub as a “global Internet hub” delivering resilient, low-latency connectivity for the GCC. Karim Benkirane, CCO at du, emphasised the shared vision of enabling high-performance, secure interconnection region-wide.
Also read: DE-CIX internet exchange now live at Elea Data Centers
Also read: Microsoft and DE-CIX partner to boost cloud connectivity
Why it’s important
The deployment of 400 GE ports is a strategic step forward for UAE-IX’s future-proofing, enabling members to scale network capacity in line with exploding demand for cloud, AI, video and enterprise services. As the only IX in the region with such high-speed access, UAE-IX now stands apart both regionally and globally.
Operating under the DE-CIX–as-a-Service (DaaS) model, the exchange offers turnkey solutions—from installation and provisioning to marketing support—for partners such as carriers and data centres. DE-CIX already manages IXs in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE, aiming to foster more resilient regional network economies.
From a technical standpoint, higher-capacity ports reduce congestion and mean less reliance on expensive transit services—translating into faster, more efficient routes across global networks.
