Delivering a faster connected world

Powering global telecommunications is in our DNA, says Chief Commercial Officer, Nicholas Collins who explores the fundamental role fibre optic cables play in today’s interconnected world and how EXA is supporting connectivity.

Delivering a faster connected world

Key takeaways

  • Nicholas Collins, Chief Commercial Officer, explores the fundamental role fibre optic cables play in today's interconnected world
  • EXA operates more than 127,000 kilometres of digital infrastructure across Europe and North America
  • Investments target the Mediterranean, where international bandwidth in southern Europe has seen over 30% compound annual growth since 2016
  • Intercontinental data traffic flows have been growing by over 30% annually
  • EXA's portfolio includes 22 Cable Landing Stations and over 500 data centres across Europe and North America

In today's digital age, connectivity demands are ever increasing with the likes of generative AI, content streaming, gaming and cloud computing among the drivers of change. With more than 127,000 kilometres of digital infrastructure, EXA is no stranger to providing its customers with reliable access to the backbone of internet connectivity across Europe and North America.

Powering global telecommunications is in our DNA, says Chief Commercial Officer, Nicholas Collins who explores the fundamental role fibre optic cables play in today’s interconnected world and how EXA is supporting connectivity.

A seismic shift in digital transformation

What we are witnessing first hand right now is a seismic shift in innovation and digital transformation across industries from cloud, content and technology to financial services, government and defence to healthcare. Fibre optic technology plays a pivotal role in almost every aspect of our lives today and will continue to be essential for future innovations such as advancements in autonomous vehicles, real-time healthcare solutions and immersive experiences in entertainment and education. Empowering economic growth and opening up new opportunities is an exciting time for our industry and one we are fully equipped to pioneer change in powering success for our customer around the world.

Fibre optic technology is the unsung hero of this digital revolution, providing high-speed, reliable, and secure data transmission means these cables are the digital highways that connect countries and cities, serving as the backbone of the internet.

At launch, in September 2021, EXA set out with a laser focussed mission to become the leading pan-European and trans-Atlantic DC to DC connectivity provider. We have continued to expand and enhance our network and are committed to being the industry trailblazer by building the connectivity that underpins the digital economy.

Connecting continents, countries and cities at scale

EXA owns and operates the most extensive fibre network across Europe and North America. We are the digital infrastructure provider of choice for high-growth, hyper-bandwidth businesses. In the last two years, we have significantly invested in enhancing and expanding our network, looking at regions and routes that will better serve our customers.

Earlier this year, EXA announced it had committed €39 million to its network investments in the Iberian Peninsula to meet the growing traffic demands from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These investments demonstrate EXA's dedication to providing top-tier digital infrastructure.

For example, the Mediterranean region plays a key role in the global digital economy because of its strategic location interconnecting Europe with the Americas the west, Africa to the south, and the Middle East and Asia to the east. According to Telegeography, international bandwidth in southern Europe has seen over 30% compound annual growth since 2016, representing an overall increase in transmission capacity to the region of almost 200%. Tapping in to this region and opportunities, earlier this year EXA announced it had extended its partnership with Digital Realty to extend connectivity across the Med.

We are proud to have a growing list of customer success stories which is a testament to our team who are passionate about what we do and make it easy to do business with. Companies like Cinturion, selected EXA to land one of its dual path connections of the Trans Europe Asia System (TEAS) in Pescara, on Italy’s Adriatic coast, to provide the lowest latency and most diversely routed links. This partnership aimed to provide alternative global data traffic patterns and strengthen connectivity between India, the Middle East, and Europe.

Recent investments and partnerships

  • €39 million committed to network investments in the Iberian Peninsula
  • Partnership with Digital Realty extended to connect across the Med
  • Cinturion selected EXA to land the Trans Europe Asia System (TEAS) in Pescara, on Italy's Adriatic coast

From Asia to Europe seamlessly

EXA’s role as a major pan-European player enables seamless support for all non-EU-based companies with their connectivity needs in Europe and North America. What we’re seeing is the significance of intercontinental data traffic flows, which have been growing by over 30% annually. At EXA, we serve a wide range of customers across the telecom, financial, cloud, and technology sectors in Asia, providing secure and reliable connectivity to support their European operations.

EXA's portfolio boasts 22 Cable Landing Stations (CLS) which play a critical role in connecting submarine and terrestrial routes from Asia to Europe. As the demand for traffic increases, EXA has been making strategic investments in additional CLS entry points into Europe. Our extensive network of over 500 data centres across Europe and North America ensures that customers have seamless access to one of Europe's largest networks.

Committed and focussed for 2024

As we nudge closer to the end of 2023, looking ahead I see even more commitment to growth from us. We will continue to be a strategic focussed partner and infrastructure provider. I look forward to empowering more businesses with their connectivity needs as we work together to shape the digital landscape of tomorrow.

Frequently asked questions

Who is EXA Infrastructure?

We own and operate 180,000 route km of fibre and duct across 31 countries, with nine transatlantic cable systems connecting Europe and North America. Backed by I Squared Capital, and run as a pure-play infrastructure company, independent of any hyperscaler or cloud.

What does EXA Infrastructure sell?

Dark Fibre, Spectrum, Wavelengths and Ethernet on routes we own, a Managed Fibre Network (MFN) where we run the network on your behalf, colocation at cable landing stations and amplifier sites, and technical services from design and build to full network outsourcing.

Where does the network reach?

Across Europe and the Atlantic: terrestrial routes from the Nordics to the Mediterranean and the Balkans, nine transatlantic systems into North America, and corridors extending east toward the Caucasus.

Who does EXA Infrastructure serve?

Hyperscalers, NeoClouds and content platforms, carriers and service providers, financial markets, and governments and critical infrastructure operators: organisations that want the physical layer on their own terms.

How do you buy from EXA Infrastructure?

Long-term IRUs to hold capacity outright, flexible leases without the long commitment, or fully managed services. The model is yours to pick; the network is the same either way.

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