UAE-IX, carrier and data center neutral Internet Exchange operator in the GCC region, recorded 63% growth in total customer bandwidth to over 1,400 Gbps in 2020.
Internet exchange operator powered by De-CIX said in a press release that its customers increased by just under 15% in the year marked by the global pandemic, which it said demonstrates clearly the need for interconnection and greater bandwidth.
In peak traffic, a new record of more than 210 Gbps was set during the first lockdown and represents an increase of 73% as people worked and studied from home.
In addition, Microsoft Azure became available in 2020 at UAE-IX through the DE-CIX Cloud Exchange and its DirectCLOUD service, the release said.
Further, due to the global pandemic, leading providers of collaboration tools – which are needed for home office and homeschooling – increased their capacity in spring by up to 400%.
“Over the last 12 months, lockdowns and quarantines have created new challenges for both businesses and users. It has also accelerated digital transformation locally in the Middle East and across the globe. We are proud to have played a role in helping service providers, businesses, schools, citizens, and the entire ICT ecosystem to adapt to this new world we live in,” said Abou Moustafa, Vice President – Large & Medium Enterprise Segment Large & Medium Enterprise Segment.
He added: “The growth of UAE-IX over the past year is testament to its importance to the local economy and our society as a whole. Together with DE-CIX, we have enabled UAE-IX partners to adapt, pivot, and minimise disruption while providing them with a digital hub that enables local and global transformation. Our success is that partners connect, collaborate, and grow in this new world.”
UAE-IX is the first carrier and data center neutral Internet Exchange for the Middle East that interconnects global networks, network operators, and content providers in the GCC region. It serves more than 80 customers, comprising a mix of global enterprises, carriers, cloud, content providers, and emerging technology platforms, alongside banking and financial services companies.
