The interconnection landscape is in constant flux, driven by the demands of data-intensive applications and an increasing number of network providers seeking more efficient and reliable methods to manage traffic.
One trend that’s gaining momentum on both sides of the Atlantic is the role of alternative network providers, the agile, regional ISPs that bring connectivity to underserved areas and offer fresh models for peering and access that challenge conventional infrastructure norms.
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has long supported this tier of providers in the UK, where they play a critical role in expanding access and addressing digital inequality. By offering a cost-effective point of aggregation, LINX enables these networks to reach major content players through a single connection. It’s an efficient model: instead of negotiating and managing dozens of separate peerings, smaller networks plug into an exchange and tap into a diverse web of global traffic, dramatically simplifying the process of scaling network reach.
This same principle is now been shaping the landscape in the United States for over 10 years, at LINX’s NoVA exchange in Northern Virginia. Over 50 networks are connected, including heavyweights like Google, Amazon, and Meta, anchoring a growing hub that networks can join to gain immediate access to vital content streams. Traffic at LINX NoVA now peaks at around 200Gbps, a sign that the model is resonating and proving its value in high-demand markets.
The term “co-opetition” gets thrown around frequently, but in the context of exchange operators and data centers, it presents a pragmatic strategy grounded in mutual benefit. LINX, as a member-owned, nonprofit exchange, often partners with data centers that could be considered competitors. That mutuality brings benefits: redundancy, cost-sharing and resilience for end customers, who increasingly demand uptime and performance across every layer of their digital services.
As we prepare for conversations at NANOG 94 in Denver this week, these themes feel especially relevant and timely. The future of network interconnection is not built solely by the largest players, but through an ecosystem that includes smaller ISPs, neutral exchanges, and even cooperative competitors. It’s a model that benefits everyone, including the end users, who may never know how many hands were involved in delivering their data smoothly and securely.
Check out the video below for insights from LINX CEO, Jennifer Holmes, on supporting alternative networks and growing interconnection across the U.S. and UK.
Head of Existing Business for LINX, Inga Turner is looking forward to discussing these topics—and more—at NANOG this week in Denver. If you’re attending, let’s discuss how we can build a more connected, efficient, and equitable internet…together.
Want more? Check out the latest on LINX NoVA here.