Today the internet exchange (IX) in the UAE, operated by du and global internet exchange operator DE-CIX has become the region's first to offer 400 Gigabit Ethernet access and achieve 800GE readiness. The upgrade also paves the way for direct cloud on-ramps for Alibaba Cloud and Google Cloud, joining existing access to AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle connecting over 110 networks in the Middle East.
UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX now ready for the 800 Gigabit Ethernet era
Frankfurt (Germany), Dubai (UAE), 26 February 2026. The UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX is now technically capable of supporting 800 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) access. This upgrade has also made 400 GE ports available on the Internet Exchange (IX), making it the only IX in the Middle East to offer such access bandwidths. These milestones were announced today by DE-CIX, the world’s leading IX operator, and partner datamena, du’s carrier neutral data center and connectivity platform based in the UAE and serving the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. In addition, cloud on ramps are being built which will provide direct access to both the Alibaba and Google clouds in the coming months. UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX now has more than 110 networks connected, peak traffic in excess of 1 Terabit per second (up 35% in 2025), and more than 6.6 terabits of connected customer capacity. These latest expansions further solidify its lead as the largest IX in the Middle East.
Established in 2012 and operated by DE-CIX on behalf of partner datamena, UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX is a regional hub for connectivity. Alongside its peering exchange, it also offers enterprise-grade interconnection services, such as a Cloud Exchange, cloud routing, and connectivity to the Microsoft 365 cloud for seamless application performance. Major global cloud players Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud are already available on the Cloud Exchange, soon to be joined by Alibaba Cloud and Google Cloud. It is now also the only IX in the region to offer 400 GE access and become 800 GE ready, supporting the bandwidth growth anticipated in the region over the coming decade.
The UAE-IX serves resilient, low-latency connectivity to support the digital future for people and businesses – not only in the UAE, but across the region. The excellent collaboration with our partner datamena has enabled the UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX to shine as an essential aggregation point for network interconnection in the Middle East, with unabated growth year on year,
We are proud to partner with DE-CIX in advancing digital growth across the Middle East through the continued expansion of services at the UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX. Enhancements including increased port capacities to 400 GE, readiness for 800 GE, and expanded access to cloud services underscore a strong commitment to reinforcing the UAE-IX’s position as a leading interconnection hub. These milestones represent a significant advancement for the region’s digital ecosystem, supporting a more resilient, high-performance, and secure interconnection environment for businesses and consumers alike.
DE-CIX, home to the largest neutral interconnection ecosystem in the world, has been active in the Middle East for more than a decade, and now operates IXs in multiple countries in the region: Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE, as well as Türkiye. The UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX in Dubai is operated under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model. The DaaS program includes a set of services – such as installation, maintenance, provisioning, marketing and sales support – designed for carriers, data center operators, or other third parties to create their own Internet Exchange and interconnection platform fully operated by DE-CIX.
