DE-CIX achieves Google Gold status to bolster global connectivity
DE-CIX has announced its attainment of Gold status as a Google Verified Peering Provider, placing it among the first Internet Exchange operators worldwide to achieve this level within Google's programme.
The Google Verified Peering Provider (VPP) initiative endorses internet service providers (ISPs) and internet exchanges (IXs) that meet requirements for diversity and high availability of connectivity to Google's global infrastructure. This development aims to enhance internet traffic flows between DE-CIX, Google, and other networks, consequently improving the speed and reliability of Google services for end users worldwide.
DE-CIX is facilitating peering with Google by offering Google's network prefixes through its peering service. This facilitates direct connectivity for networks using DE-CIX Internet Exchange points. The service is currently operational in DE-CIX locations across the United States, India, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Türkiye, and the Nordic region. Plans are in place for further roll-out to additional Internet Exchange points worldwide where both DE-CIX and Google are present.
According to DE-CIX, its customers maintain thousands of peering sessions with Google globally, often across multiple exchange locations. Connecting to Google via DE-CIX enables customers to access Google services with reduced latency and avoids public internet congestion, thereby supporting reliable and high-capacity service delivery. The roll-out is progressing on a location-by-location basis and is available to all connected DE-CIX customers in the relevant areas.
Enterprise-grade connectivity
DE-CIX's status as a Google Gold Verified Peering Provider also provides benefits for smaller ISPs and network operators that do not meet Google's direct peering requirements. These organisations are now able to rely on DE-CIX's infrastructure and expertise to access Google's services and cloud workloads. The company's Layer-3 connectivity offering aims to guarantee continued and direct access to Google services for such customers, who might not have the resources to manage direct connections themselves.
This is expected to benefit both wholesale network operators and enterprises, including those utilising Google Workspace, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), or other cloud-hosted applications. Through DE-CIX, these organisations gain access to direct, dedicated, and reliable connectivity that underpins their day-to-day operations and supports continuity of service.
"We are delighted to have been able to work with Google on the implementation of the VPP solution for IXs, and to be one of the first IX providers globally to achieve Gold status as a Google VPP," comments Dr. Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX. "At DE-CIX, we are always seeking ways to simplify interconnection services for our customers and push the evolution of peering for the benefit of all network operators. As network technologies evolve and network operators adapt their policies, it is essential for companies like DE-CIX to find solutions to keep the world fully interconnected."
Verified access
Access to Google's services through direct peering has become more limited as requirements have increased. Google now only peers with networks and IXs that can fulfil its expertise, resource, and redundancy criteria. In response, certain ISPs and IXs, such as DE-CIX, have been granted VPP status, delivering direct peering through private connectivity and maintaining redundancy for each provider in the programme.
Google customers connecting through a VPP gain highly reliable access to platforms such as Google Search, Google Ads, and YouTube, alongside any other service reachable via the Internet. An Internet Exchange certified within the VPP framework, such as DE-CIX, can incorporate Google connectivity directly within its own service provision, allowing all connected networks to peer with Google as part of their existing connections. Customers selecting a VPP provider make use of validated, diverse connectivity pathways endorsed by Google.
DE-CIX milestones
This announcement follows a period of growth and expansion for DE-CIX, as the company prepares to mark its 30th anniversary since its first Internet Exchange began operations in Frankfurt in 1995. Today, DE-CIX provides a broad portfolio of peering, cloud connectivity, and enterprise-grade interconnection services across 60 global locations, spanning Europe, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. Its services are accessible from data centres in over 600 cities and interconnect thousands of network operators, ISPs, content providers, and enterprise networks from more than 100 countries.
DE-CIX's Frankfurt exchange is among the largest in the world, handling close to 45 exabytes of data annually and connecting nearly 1,100 networks as of 2024.
