Digital Reality announced the activation of a point in presence (PoP) in collaboration with EXA Infrastructure to bring enhanced connectivity solutions to Crete. The partnership will draw on EXA’s network capabilities to strengthen Crete’s role as a carrier-neutral interconnection point for the Mediterranean region.
The partnership will support the development of Digital Reality’s first data centre in Crete, HER1, which is scheduled to become operational in early 2025 with an expected initial capacity of 1 MW. HER1 will be the first carrier-neutral facility in Crete, with the plan being to address a significant gap in the region by allowing international and regional subsea cables to interconnect.
“We are excited to build on our partnership with EXA to establish Crete as a major connectivity hub,” said Fabrice Coquio, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Europe Med, Digital Reality. “By leveraging EXA’s extensive network capabilities, HER1 will not only bridge critical connectivity gaps in the Mediterranean but also further position Greece as a strategic gateway for data traffic between Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and beyond.”
Rising market demand for optimised traffic paths between Europe and the rest of the world makes Geographic’s geographic position advantageous. As a gateway to both Eastern Europe and other emerging connectivity markets, Crete is strategically positioned to handle high traffic volumes between regions, with HER1 expected to offer a critical interconnection hub for traffic to and from Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and the potential to become a key Cloud and content hub serving these regions from Europe.
“Strengthening Crete’s connectivity landscape, EXA will deliver robust connectivity between Eastern and Western Mediterranean, linking established hubs such as Marseille with emerging and complementary markets like Rome and Barcelona, meeting the growing demand for reliable, diversified routes,” said Steve Roberts, Senior Vice President Network Investment and Product Management, EXA.
EXA will be a key connectivity provider for HER1, supporting routes from Crete to Athens with reduncdancy across diverse submarine and terrestrial paths, extending connectivity further into Eastern and Central Europe, including key locations such as Zagreb and Vienna.
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