A fresh neutral internet exchange has launched in Austria's Carinthia region, enabling local data traffic to remain within the area and linking it directly to major European digital infrastructure hubs. Developed jointly by BIK Breitbandinitiative Kärnten GmbH—a company owned by the Carinthian state government—and DE-CIX, the facility is branded ALPSiX.

Starting from the end of the year, network operators will be able to exchange traffic locally at facilities in Klagenfurt and Villach. The Carinthian government committed approximately €5.7 million to the initiative, aiming to eliminate the need for data to transit through Vienna or other distant routing points, thereby improving connection reliability and speed for regional enterprises and institutions.

The exchange will establish direct connections to major interconnection centres in Munich and Vienna, as well as to networks across northern Italy and southeastern Europe. DE-CIX will manage operations and integrate ALPSiX into its worldwide infrastructure spanning more than 60 locations.

Rather than occupying space within conventional data centre facilities, the exchange will function from compact, energy-efficient edge containers.

Artificial intelligence and new digital applications are fundamentally changing the requirements placed on our networks. The success of AI applications is determined not only by computing power, but also by the speed at which data flows between users, businesses, and data centers. That is why Internet Exchanges will increasingly be established closer to people and businesses.

DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanov

ALPSiX makes exactly this possible: local data stays local and avoids a detour of more than 600 km via Vienna. In doing so, we are creating ideal conditions for greater digital sovereignty, innovation, and sustainable economic growth in the region.

Ivo Ivanov

With ALPSiX, we are creating Carinthia's gateway to the international data highways and setting another milestone for the development of our business and industrial location. The launch of our own Internet Exchange strengthens Carinthia's digital sovereignty, enhances the competitiveness of our companies, and makes Carinthia an even more attractive location for technology- and data-intensive businesses. Following the commissioning of the Koralm Railway, ALPSiX is now the next project with international impact that will sustainably strengthen Carinthia's position in the Alps-Adriatic region. The launch of ALPSiX sends a strong signal that we consistently invest in the infrastructure that enables growth, innovation, and high-quality jobs for the future.

Sebastian Schuschnig, Member of the State Government of Carinthia