New Internet Exchange Ruhr-CIX powered by DE-CIX now in operation

Frankfurt am Main, 16 February 2021. The new Internet Exchange Ruhr-CIX (Ruhr-Commercial Internet Exchange) powered by DE-CIX is now operational and available for customers. Ruhr-CIX is the first Internet Exchange in Germany to be realized through the merger of three regional network operators and a global Internet Exchange operator, and is located in the data centers of DOKOM21 (Dortmund), TMR (Bochum) and GELSEN-NET (Gelsenkirchen). These are interconnected via a high-speed optic fiber ring. DE-CIX, operator of the world’s largest Internet Exchange in Frankfurt am Main, is responsible for the set-up and technical operation of Ruhr-CIX as part of the DE-CIX as a Service program. The aims of the partners are to strengthen digital value creation, expand the infrastructure, and attract new Internet companies to the metropolitan Ruhr Region.

“The Ruhr-CIX project represents an innovation boost for the development of the digital economy. It also serves as a blueprint for other German regions. Ruhr-CIX will increase the stability and flexibility of the regional infrastructure – connected companies will enjoy a noticeable improvement of the Internet structure, alone as a result of the local distribution of data. Ruhr-CIX will thus contribute to their economic success. Through the direct connection to DE-CIX, they also become a part of a global digital ecosystem including important international players,” comments Harald A. Summa, CEO of DE-CIX, on the commissioning of Ruhr-CIX.

Another focus of Ruhr-CIX is the connectivity possibilities for industrial and administrative organizations in the region, and the possibility of creating closed user groups for a secure and higher-performance use of cloud services.

“Through a cooperation with DE-CIX, our partners achieve optimal interconnection and improved marketing towards national and international content providers, cloud providers and Internet service providers, as well as towards companies that are active both nationally and internationally, and systems integrators that are based outside of the Ruhr region,” Summa reports.

Ruhr-CIX improves Internet quality in the region

By distributing the data locally, the new Internet Exchange will further improve the Internet quality in the region and contribute to economic growth. It will also promote the use of digital services for businesses and public administration, as well as for digital work and leisure activities. Ruhr-CIX reduces the packet run-time between the connected Internet companies and leads to a more stable network for applications like cloud computing, VoIP connections, video, gaming, and music streaming. In addition, the new Internet Exchange is expected to provide improved connectivity to global Internet companies.

DE-CIX – Operator of the world’s largest neutral interconnection ecosystem

For 25 years, DE-CIX has been operating successful Internet Exchanges in metro regions such as New York, Madrid, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, and Mumbai. Together, the DE-CIX Internet Exchanges form the world’s largest neutral interconnection ecosystem, with a connected customer capacity of more than 70 terabits. Ruhr-CIX has been set up with the same high availability and security requirements as every other of the more than 28 DE-CIX locations around the world.