Nokia to upgrade New York’s largest Internet Exchange backbone

With new optical technology

DE-CIX, the world’s leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator, has chosen Nokia to upgrade the backbone network for DE-CIX New York, the largest Internet Exchange in New York and the US Northeast region. The upgrade will see the backbone network transition to a 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) system, with support for up to 800GE, enhancing its capacity to meet the demands of an ever-growing network ecosystem.

The new infrastructure will feature Nokia’s optical technology, deployed in a ring topology to interconnect the ten data centre facilities housing DE-CIX’s infrastructure. This upgraded design will improve the platform’s resiliency, ensuring more flexibility and operational efficiency for the thousands of participants relying on the exchange. The ring configuration will provide greater redundancy, guaranteeing continuous service even during network interruptions.

Dr. Thomas King, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of DE-CIX, said: “When we began planning the upgrade of our New York backbone, we wanted to simplify our network while increasing the platform’s resilience. We looked at the options in the market, and Nokia was the best choice for us. We have worked with Nokia globally for more than 10 years now, and their hardware’s capacity, reliability, and innovative strength have always impressed us.”

Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS), which incorporates Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) technology, is at the heart of the upgrade. This innovation will allow for automatic rerouting of optical wavelengths around the backbone network in case of incidents, improving recovery speed and minimising disruption. The addition of ROADM technology also reduces the need for excessive capacity at the IP layer, delivering the same level of resilience with a more efficient use of resources.

James Watt, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nokia’s Optical Business, noted: “In today’s connected world, staying resilient and ready to scale is necessary. This upgrade to DE-CIX New York’s backbone is not just about supporting the largest Internet Exchange in the Northeast – it is about shaping the future of connectivity in one of the world’s biggest markets. With Nokia’s cutting-edge optical technology, we ensure networks are flexible, reliable, and ready to handle whatever comes next.”

The new backbone will provide DE-CIX New York with the scalability needed to support future growth and accommodate the ever-increasing demand for data connectivity. As the most prominent Internet Exchange in the Northeast, DE-CIX New York connects over 265 networks from across the region, spanning more than 40 data centres. The platform is geographically strategically located, covering Long Island to the East and extending to Piscataway and Edison to the South and West.

Ed d’Agostino, Vice President of DE-CIX North America, added: “This upgrade, powered by Nokia’s optical technology, allows us to future-proof our platform to serve the New York market best and start 2025 on track for further growth. With the number of data centres we integrate, we must have a state-of-the-art transport network with scalable capacity.”

DE-CIX New York is also directly connected to DE-CIX’s global network, linking to other key locations in North America and Europe, including DE-CIX Frankfurt, the largest IX in Europe. Through these connections, DE-CIX facilitates remote peering and offers access to a diverse ecosystem of networks, further enhancing the platform’s value to customers. With more than 60 locations across multiple continents, DE-CIX remains a leading provider of interconnection services to carriers, Internet providers, content providers, and enterprise networks worldwide.

This upgrade marks a significant milestone in DE-CIX’s ongoing commitment to providing high-performance, reliable interconnection solutions to meet the evolving needs of the digital landscape. With Nokia’s advanced optical technology at the forefront, the future of connectivity for New York and beyond is poised for continued growth and innovation.

Image: At the heart of the upgrade is Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS), which incorporates Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) technology. Credit: Panumas Nikhomkhai

Last Updated on 1 month by News Desk 2