DE-CIX has unveiled a new neutral Internet Exchange in Austria’s Carinthia region that will allow more data to be exchanged locally and connect the area directly to major European digital hubs.
Called ALPSiX, the new exchange is being developed by BIK Breitbandinitiative Kärnten GmbH, which is owned by the state of Carinthia, together with DE-CIX.
As a result, network operators will be able to exchange traffic locally at sites in Klagenfurt and Villach from the end of the year, the company revealed.
The move follows the Carinthian government investing around €5.7 million in the project, as it aims to reduce the amount of data that has to travel via Vienna or other distant locations, helping businesses and organisations access more reliable and faster connections.
ALPSiX will also connect Carinthia to major interconnection hubs, including Munich and Vienna, as well as networks in northern Italy and southeastern Europe.
Meanwhile, DE-CIX will operate the exchange and connect it to its international network of more than 60 locations.
Additionally, rather than being located inside traditional data centres, the exchange will operate from compact, energy-efficient edge containers.
DE-CIX CEO, Ivo Ivanov, said: “Artificial intelligence and new digital applications are fundamentally changing the requirements placed on our networks.
“The success of AI applications is determined not only by computing power, but also by the speed at which data flows between users, businesses, and data centers. That is why Internet Exchanges will increasingly be established closer to people and businesses.
“ALPSiX makes exactly this possible: local data stays local and avoids a detour of more than 600 km via Vienna. In doing so, we are creating ideal conditions for greater digital sovereignty, innovation, and sustainable economic growth in the region.”
Member of the State Government of Carinthia, Sebastian Schuschnig, added: “With ALPSiX, we are creating Carinthia’s gateway to the international data highways and setting another milestone for the development of our business and industrial location.
“The launch of our own Internet Exchange strengthens Carinthia’s digital sovereignty, enhances the competitiveness of our companies, and makes Carinthia an even more attractive location for technology- and data-intensive businesses. Following the commissioning of the Koralm Railway, ALPSiX is now the next project with international impact that will sustainably strengthen Carinthia’s position in the Alps-Adriatic region.
“The launch of ALPSiX sends a strong signal that we consistently invest in the infrastructure that enables growth, innovation, and high-quality jobs for the future.”
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