Podcast•Mar 13, 2026•19 min
Who Runs the Internet?
In this episode, Marco Brandstetter of DE-CIX discusses the evolving role of internet exchanges (IXs) worldwide, highlighting DE-CIX’s growth to 60 metros and over 4,000 connected networks. He explains how modern IXs go beyond cheap IP transit, offering cloud, AI, and even satellite interconnection services, and stresses the importance of local peering for latency, resilience, and handling new AI-driven traffic patterns. Brandstetter also contrasts large, monolithic IXs with smaller, region‑focused exchanges, arguing both serve critical, complementary needs. Finally, he outlines future opportunities such as enterprise peering, AI‑specific exchanges, and space‑based connectivity.
