Introduction: Europe stands as a crucial node in the global internet backbone, facilitating seamless connectivity between North America, Africa, and the Middle East. The continent’s strategic geographic location and robust infrastructure make it a key hub for subsea cable systems, which are essential for managing the increasing volume of data traffic across continents. EXA Infrastructure’s latest whitepaper delves into the significance of Europe in global connectivity and explores emerging trends that may shape future connectivity.

Europe: The Nexus of Global Data Traffic Europe’s position as a central hub for subsea cables allows it to efficiently manage data traffic, fostering international collaboration and driving the global digital economy. The continent’s interconnected infrastructure not only supports seamless connectivity but also enhances the reliability and resilience of global data networks.

North America’s Data Traffic and Transatlantic Connectivity North America, home to leading cloud providers and content producers, generates vast amounts of data traffic. The transatlantic submarine cables connecting North America to Europe are critical to the global ecosystem, ensuring the continuous flow of digital information. These cables are indispensable for maintaining the robustness of global data networks and will remain vital in the foreseeable future.

Current Trends in Transatlantic Connectivity EXA Infrastructure’s whitepaper highlights several key trends in transatlantic connectivity:

  • Hyperscale Ownership of Cables: Cloud giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon have shifted from leasing capacity to building their own cables, impacting the availability of wholesale capacity.
  • New Wave of Demand: The demand from cloud, content, and tech businesses continues to grow, necessitating reliable, high-capacity infrastructure to support rapid scaling.
  • AI Impact: The rise of artificial intelligence is expected to increase bandwidth demand, emphasizing the need for scalable networks.

Route Diversity and Network Resilience The importance of route diversity cannot be overstated. Recent incidents, such as subsea cable cuts, have underscored the need for diverse network paths to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. EXA Infrastructure’s extensive network offers multiple transatlantic routes, enhancing the resilience and reliability of global data connections.

Europe’s role as a strategic node in global connectivity is pivotal for the seamless flow of data across continents. EXA Infrastructure’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge infrastructure ensures that Europe remains at the forefront of global digital connectivity. To learn more about the current trends and future of transatlantic connectivity, download the full whitepaper here.