EXA Infrastructure amplifies position as industry leader by committing €210 million to expanding and enhancing its network

EXA Infrastructure today announced it has committed a total of €210 million towards network investment since launching in September 2021. EXA continues to expand and enhance its network and is committed to being the industry trailblazer by building the connectivity that underpins the digital economy.

EXA Infrastructure amplifies position as industry leader by committing €210 million to expanding and enhancing its network

Key takeaways

  • EXA Infrastructure has committed a total of €210 million towards network investment since launching in September 2021
  • In 2023, 20 approved investment projects add 10,940kms of new footprint, increasing EXA’s network size to 125,000 kms
  • Projects include the Trans Adriatic Express and the wider Balkans region, new subsea routes from London, and new routes such as Paris–Marseille via Lyon
  • The plan adds 32 new carrier neutral data centre connections
  • Chief Executive Martijn Blanken says EXA is delivering on the growth strategy set out at launch

€210 million committed since launch

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, today announced it has committed a total of €210 million towards network investment since launching in September 2021. EXA continues to expand and enhance its network and is committed to being the industry trailblazer by building the connectivity that underpins the digital economy.

In 2023, EXA’s capex investment will continue to grow, with 20 approved investment projects which encompasses 10,940kms of new footprint, increasing EXA’s network size to 125,000 kms. EXA’s investment focus is all about serving the needs of new and existing customers, and providing high quality, reliable and scalable infrastructure.

Comment from Martijn Blanken

EXA Infrastructure Chief Executive, Martijn Blanken said: “Providing mission critical connectivity to our customers and leading the investment across the industry is not only powered by the demand in data traffic we are seeing but in ensuring we become the undisputed data centre to data centre connectivity provider. Our intention is to continue to expand our capabilities strategically as a focussed partner and infrastructure provider for our customers.”

2023 committed projects

EXA is leading the way in terms of large-scale network expansion projects, further diversifying network routes, ensuring customer requirements for resilient connectivity between data centres and cable landing stations.

As a dedicated owner and operator of digital infrastructure, EXA is not only investing in its network expansion but also improving performance and capability by implementing the latest innovations in the optical layer, passing these enhancements and improvements directly to our customer base. EXA’s 2023 committed projects include:

  • Extensive investment in the Trans Adriatic Express, and the wider Balkans region including Greece, Crete, Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia (5920km)
  • Cable upgrades and new subsea routes connecting London to Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris (1911km)
  • A 345-kilometre upgrade to existing network between Bari and Crotone in southern Italy, to boost terrestrial backhaul to and from the IONIAN subsea cable linking Crotone to Preveza, Greece
  • New North Balkans cable route from Salzburg to Belgrade (1004km), with a branch to the Italian border to connect through to Milan
  • Backbone extension to Lisbon and Sines (1950km)
  • New cable route between Paris and Marseille via Lyon (980km)
  • New cable route connecting Bilbao to Barcelona via Zaragoza (600km)
  • New cable route between Milan and Zurich (311km)
  • Multiple backbone and metro upgrades including over 4000km of backbone network overpulls, and investment in new metro cables in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome
  • 32 new carrier neutral data centre connections

Blanken added: “EXA’s ambitious growth strategy was set out at launch and I am pleased to confirm we are delivering on this plan.”

About EXA Infrastructure

Headquartered in London, UK, EXA Infrastructure is the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, and owns 125,000 kilometres of fibre network across 34 countries. EXA’s network connects 300 cities and offers 13 Tier 3-equivalent data centres, with sub-sea routes that include three transatlantic cables, one the lowest latency link between Europe and North America. EXA is wholly-owned by I Squared Capital. For more information, see exainfra.net

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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