The world’s leading Internet Exchange operator sets a new data traffic record as demand for high-capacity interconnection reaches historic levels.
DE-CIX, the global leader in Internet Exchange (IX) services, has once again set a new world record in interconnection traffic. At exactly 19:10 GMT, its distributed global platform handled a staggering 25 terabits per second (Tbps) of data traffic. That’s more than double the traffic recorded just five years ago — a 130% increase since 2020.
This milestone wasn’t driven by a single city or hub — such as Frankfurt, the heart of Europe’s Internet — but rather by simultaneous spikes in multiple strategic locations, including Dallas, Madrid, Istanbul, and Frankfurt. It’s a vivid demonstration of the global digital economy’s increasing interdependence.
“Last night’s peak is the result of exceptionally high traffic triggered by the convergence of multiple digital events — including live sports streaming and large-scale software updates — combined with regular content and service consumption,” explained Dr. Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX. “It’s a clear example of how peering, the backbone of the Internet, connects networks delivering video, software, cloud, and mobile services.”
25 Tbps: What does it mean?
To grasp the scale, 25 terabits per second is enough to stream 14 million TikTok videos simultaneously. It also equates to transmitting the data equivalent of a stack of A4 paper 20 times the height of Mount Everest — every second.
This figure represents not just a technical feat, but a pressing call to action for infrastructure evolution, as demands from streaming, remote collaboration, cloud services, gaming, and AI workloads soar.
A 30-Year Legacy Driving the Internet Forward
Founded in 1995, DE-CIX began with a mission to localize and optimize Germany’s Internet traffic. It has since evolved into a critical global platform, interconnecting over 4,000 networks from more than 600 cities worldwide.
The flagship DE-CIX Frankfurt — the largest IX in the world — is now joined by key points of presence in New York, Madrid, Dallas, Mumbai, Dubai, and beyond. DE-CIX’s infrastructure has become the nervous system of the global digital economy, ensuring that content and services are exchanged efficiently, securely, and at low latency.
“This 25 Tbps peak isn’t just a technical benchmark — it’s a reflection of a global society deeply reliant on real-time connectivity,” said David Carrero, cloud infrastructure expert and co-founder of Stackscale (Grupo Aire). “It reinforces the need for continuous investment in neutral IX platforms, edge computing, and cross-region redundancy to ensure resilience in an era of explosive digital growth.”
What Comes Next?
The implications of this record go beyond bandwidth. As AI applications, IoT, smart cities, and hybrid work environments expand, so does the need for robust interconnection ecosystems.
DE-CIX’s roadmap includes expanded edge presence, further investment in cloud exchange services, and deeper integration with hyperscale data center environments. The company also continues to advocate for open peering policies and improved sovereignty and data localization, especially across emerging markets.
Conclusion
The Internet is not just faster — it’s denser, more distributed, and more critical than ever. As global bandwidth demand continues to grow at double-digit rates annually, crossing the 25 Tbps threshold is a powerful reminder: digital infrastructure isn’t a luxury — it’s a public utility.
In the words of DE-CIX’s team: “Connecting the now. Innovating the next.”
For more on DE-CIX’s 30-year journey and future plans, visit: de-cix.net/30years
