At its Dallas-based interconnection platform, DE-CIX, a pioneer in Internet Exchange (IX) operations worldwide, has reached a ground-breaking traffic milestone. The exchange achieved a peak traffic of over 1 Terabit per second (Tbit/s) around 8:10 PM Central Standard Time, which coincided with the NFL playoffs. This was a major point in the region’s digital progress.
This historic accomplishment, which would amount to the simultaneous streaming of almost 330,000 HD films, is a glaring example of the region’s growing digital demand and its need on a strong Internet infrastructure. Peak traffic at DE-CIX Dallas has increased by 61% since the beginning of 2023 and by an astounding 194% since early 2022. This would put DE-CIX Dallas in an elite global group, joining DE-CIX exchanges in Frankfurt, New York, Madrid, and Mumbai that have already surpassed the 1 Terabit traffic threshold.
There are two main trends that are responsible for the increase in data traffic, stated DE-CIX. First, there would be an obvious change in consumer behavior toward streaming content available online, especially for sporting events. The 15% rise in Thursday Night Football Internet viewing from the previous season would serve as an example of this tendency. Peak traffic days are seeing notable jumps, with roughly half of American viewers preferring online platforms over conventional broadcast networks for sports.
Business dynamics are the main driver of the second trend. Long-term expansion in data traffic is attributed to a number of factors, including the transfer of firms to Dallas, an increase in traffic from Latin America, particularly Mexico, and a general trend towards cloud-based operations after the pandemic. Texas’s economy, which would be renowned for being strong while ranking second in the country by GDP, is thriving as a digital powerhouse and is on par with the top ten economies worldwide, according to DE-CIX.
Vice President of DE-CIX North America Ed d’Agostino highlights the significance of open access and neutrality to their success. He points out that DE-CIX’s adherence to these values makes an equal playing field possible for all digital participants. Their reach has been increased by strategic collaborations with transport network operators and data centers, which have also made it easier for connections across regional networks to be seamless. This collaborative model would underpin the rapid growth and resilience of their Internet Exchange in the region.
Carriers, ISPs, CSPs, Content Providers
DE-CIX Dallas would be one of the top 15 biggest IXs in the US and a renowned connectivity center in the Southwest. About 150 networks are connected via it, including those of carriers, ISPs, cloud service providers (CSPs), content providers, and other businesses. The platform is available from more than 15 data centers and colocation sites and optimizes content delivery at the edge. Direct connection to well-known cloud service providers including Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure Peering Service is provided.
Interest in DE-CIX’s strategy, which unifies disparate data centers into a single connected ‘mall,’ is growing on a worldwide scale, according to the IX itself. In addition to local links, the network is expanding to major cities in North America and beyond, with Mexico City and Queretaro on the horizon for 2024. This growth is indicative of a larger trend in the IX sector toward improving worldwide connectivity.
In addition, new alliances such as the one with Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points (CNIXP) would highlight DE-CIX’s dedication to enhancing connectivity in underprivileged U.S. cities. These partnerships can be essential to closing the digital gap and guaranteeing that all areas have fair access to high-speed Internet.
