Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading telecommunications operator, in partnership with DE-CIX, the leading global operator of carrier-neutral Internet Exchanges (IX), announces that Doha IX, Qatar’s first commercial Internet Exchange (IX), is ready for service and first networks are connected. The new IX is hosted in Ooredoo’s state-of-the-art data centre and is set to transform the nation’s digital landscape.
Doha IX establishes a secure interconnection hub, allowing seamless traffic exchanges between regional and global hyperscalers, cloud providers, content networks and ISPs. This innovative platform enhances performance with low-latency connectivity while reducing costs through streamlined operations.
Doha IX offers a secure data centre-neutral environment, granting direct access to global content through a single connection. Its optimised design allows customers to connect multiple ISPs, CDNs, and cloud platforms via one port, ensuring high performance with low latency and seamless integration into DE-CIX’s global ecosystem.
A key strategic benefit of this ecosystem is direct access to premium services, such as MAPS (Microsoft Azure Peering Service). This provides government and enterprise customers in Qatar with direct, private access to Microsoft SaaS services such as MS Teams and Outlook, significantly enhancing their performance and security.
In addition, Doha IX is recognised as a Verified Peering Provider for Google Cloud and Workspace, enabling businesses to enjoy secure, high-performance connectivity to Google’s enterprise applications. Furthermore, Doha IX provides access to Qatar’s large end-user base, enabling faster content delivery and giving partners a direct path to serve customers more efficiently.
Thani Ali I A Al-Malki, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, said, “We are proud to launch Doha IX in collaboration with DE-CIX – a milestone that redefines Qatar’s digital landscape. Doha IX delivers world-class interconnection, empowering businesses, ISPs, and content providers with faster, smarter, and more secure access to global content. This initiative marks a significant step in driving Qatar’s digital transformation and strengthening its role as a regional connectivity hub.”
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, added: “With Doha IX powered by DE-CIX, we are bringing DE-CIX’s global expertise to Qatar, enabling businesses and networks to benefit from superior interconnection services. Doha IX is the ideal place for international networks interested in reaching this important Middle Eastern market. The new IX, established through the partnership between DE-CIX and Ooredoo, will unleash the potential of the country’s digital economy by providing better performance and user experience of content and applications, and affordable and high-quality Internet access for enterprises and individuals. This partnership marks an important milestone in strengthening regional connectivity and creating an advanced digital ecosystem that supports economic growth and innovation in the GCC for the amazing digital decades ahead of us.”
Under the partnership, Doha IX integrates seamlessly with Ooredoo’s premium suite of services, including IP Transit, Multi-Cloud Connect, Hosting, Co-location, Business Internet, Precision Timing, and International Connectivity. This comprehensive offering enables businesses to further their digital transformation, providing faster access to global and regional networks, as well as improved content delivery for end-users.
Doha IX sets a new benchmark in advancing Qatar’s National Vision 2030, positioning the nation as a key player in the Middle Eastern digital economy. By delivering world-class interconnection solutions, Doha IX not only supports connectivity ecosystems but also drives innovation for businesses in Qatar and across the region.
