Munich Metro
Bringing Interconnection Closer
Bringing Interconnection Closer:
NL-ix launches Munich Metro
With the launch of the Munich Metro, NL-ix extends its distributed interconnection platform further into Germany, driven by demand from networks, enterprises and partners in the region for local access.
Strengthening the German footprint
Germany plays a key role in European interconnection. With Munich, NL-ix adds regional depth to its footprint, enabling networks in Southern Germany to interconnect closer to where they operate.
As a major technology and business hub, Munich hosts a strong ecosystem of enterprises, cloud providers, content platforms and network operators. The need for efficient, low-latency and locally controlled traffic exchange continues to grow, making Munich a logical next step.
With the new NL-ix Point of Presence in Munich, we are reinforcing critical Internet infrastructure at the heart of Europe, strengthening digital sovereignty and delivering the resilient, high-performance connectivity needed to support accelerating the ever-growing AI workloads and large-scale digital transformation.
Neutral interconnection, built for choice
The demand for NL-ix in Munich is rooted in a clear requirement: neutral interconnection with real freedom of choice.
By operating in carrier-neutral datacenters tied closely to the interconnection community and extending a distributed interconnection platform across locations, NL-ix enables networks to connect on their own terms without being tied to a single environment or ecosystem.
This allows networks to determine how and where they exchange traffic, while maintaining flexibility as they scale across multiple locations.
At the same time, Munich introduces an additional, independent interconnection path in the region. This enables networks to strengthen redundancy, diversify their interconnection strategy and reduce dependency on a single platform.
Integrated into the NL-ix backbone
Munich is not a standalone exchange. It is fully integrated into the standard European NL-ix 400 Gbps backbone architecture, where all metros are interconnected over a high-capacity, low-latency fabric, with direct links to Frankfurt and Paris.
Frankfurt acts as one of Europe’s primary interconnection hubs, offering access to a unique ecosystem of networks, cloud and content providers. Paris strengthens connectivity into Western Europe and provides an additional path into the broader European network landscape.
By connecting Munich to both hubs, multiple high-capacity routes are created into the NL-ix platform, improving resilience, enabling efficient traffic routing and avoiding dependency on a single location. Additionally, we are going to optimize the backbone connections ongoing to improve latency for everyone permanently as traffic flows change.
What this enables
For networks in Munich, this results in the availability of the full portfolio of all NL-ix Services.
Peering, IP-Transit, Transport, DDoS protection, Cloud Connect, SaaS Connect, and Elastic Interconnect. Including major benefits, like:
- Local interconnection within the region
- Direct access to key European hubs
- Multiple paths for redundancy and traffic engineering
- Reach to hundreds of networks across the NL-ix platform
- Tools to optimize routing decisions throughout the NL-ix Fabric to control and optimize the way traffic flows through the Internet
Expansion driven by demand
The launch of Munich reflects how NL-ix expands its platform: based on where interconnection is needed. All European traffic brought to your doorstep including a redundant backbone to Frankfurt as the #1 content hub in Germany.
New locations are developed together with the market. When there is sufficient demand in a metro, a clear business case can be built to extend the platform.
Where next?
Munich is part of an ongoing expansion across Europe.
Demand drives the next location. If there is demand for NL-ix in a specific location, the next step is straightforward: let us know.