EXA Infrastructure announces new transatlantic cable route enhancing its data centre to data centre strategy

EXA Infrastructure, today announced it has added a fifth transatlantic route to its network footprint with the addition of the Dunant cable, connecting the US and Europe via a southern corridor across the Atlantic.

EXA Infrastructure announces new transatlantic cable route enhancing its data centre to data centre strategy

Key takeaways

  • EXA Infrastructure has added a fifth transatlantic route with the Dunant cable, connecting the US and Europe via a southern corridor
  • The route links Paris and Bordeaux in France with the data centre clusters of Virginia Beach, Richmond and Ashburn in the US
  • The Dunant cable is 400G and spectrum ready
  • EXA's footprint extends to 18,000 kilometres of owned subsea cable plant and 20 owned cable landing stations
  • According to Telegeography, global internet bandwidth grew by 23% in 2023 to 1,217 Tbps

Dunant becomes EXA's fifth transatlantic route

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, today announced it has added a fifth transatlantic route to its network footprint with the addition of the Dunant cable, connecting the US and Europe via a southern corridor across the Atlantic.

This new route complements EXA’s existing cables connecting Paris and Bordeaux in France to the large data centre clusters of Virginia Beach, Richmond and Ashburn in the US. This new route offers excellent diversity from other transatlantic cables as well as connecting to EXA’s extensive European backbone onwards to Madrid, Barcelona and Marseille via differentiated routes.

Comment from Steve Roberts

“The transatlantic is the largest subsea market globally and with the anticipated growth in the market EXA is uniquely positioned to provide our customers with the greatest choice of diversity and availability across our five transatlantic routes,” EXA Infrastructure, Vice President Network Investments, Steve Roberts said. “The addition of the Dunant cable to our portfolio, which is 400G and spectrum ready accelerates our mission to become the undisputed pan-European and transatlantic data centre to data centre connectivity provider.”

Transatlantic bandwidth growth

EXA continues to invest and expand its network to meet the increasing connectivity demands of today and forecasted for the future. According to Telegeography, global internet bandwidth has grown by 23% in 2023 with the total internet bandwidth now standing at 1,217 Tbps, which represents a 4-year CAGR of 28%. While, international internet traffic has increased in line with internet bandwidth, both peaking at around 30% between 2019-2023.

Telegeography metricFigure
Global internet bandwidth growth in 202323%
Total internet bandwidth1,217 Tbps
4-year CAGR of internet bandwidth28%
International internet traffic growth, 2019-2023Peaking at around 30%

EXA's subsea footprint

EXA has been a leading independent subsea cable operator for more than 20 years, with its roots dating back to Hibernia Networks, Interoute Communications and KPN International. Its footprint today extends to 18,000 kilometres of owned subsea cable plant and 20 owned cable landing stations.

Roberts adds: “EXA is also a fibre pair owner on eight other subsea cables around Europe and the Mediterranean, reflecting our commitment to invest in subsea infrastructure for customers who are seeking reliable, low latency and high-performance data connections.”

This transatlantic investment follows the news of EXA expanding into a strategic partnership with Bulk Infrastructure on the Havfrue subsea cable connecting the US to Norway and Denmark and into EXA’s extensive European backbone.

About EXA Infrastructure

Headquartered in London, EXA Infrastructure is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital and the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America and owns 142,000 kilometres of fibre network across 34 countries. EXA’s network connects 300 cities and offers 13Tier 3-equivalent data centres, with sub-sea routes that include three transatlantic cables, one the lowest latency link between Europe and North America. 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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