What NL-IX does

NL-IX is a privately held Dutch Internet Exchange operator headquartered in The Hague and recognized by the Dutch Government as vital digital infrastructure. Founded in 1999 by CEO Jan Hoogenboom, the company operates a distributed pan-European interconnection platform spanning approximately 100 datacenters across 15 metropolitan markets in 7 countries (Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Denmark, plus additional Western European presence). The platform connects over 2,400 networks and serves 600+ customers ranging from ISPs and hosting providers to enterprises with cloud-first and latency-sensitive workloads. In October 2024 NL-IX reached a peak traffic milestone of 10 terabits per second, making it one of the few Internet Exchanges globally to reach this threshold.

The core technology is a Layer 2 Ethernet fabric over an OSPF-routed backbone with MPLS logical networking, deployed on a dual-vendor Nokia/Juniper architecture split into Fabric A and Fabric B for hardware and path diversity. The Amsterdam core delivers 648 Tbps of switching capacity with 400G and 800G port capability using Nokia SRS 7750 switches and grey-laser direct datacenter-to-core connections. AI/ML-powered DDoS protection is delivered inline through a partnership with Nokia Deepfield, leveraging the patented Secure Genome data feed for threat detection in under 30 seconds without traffic redirection to external scrubbing. Operational tools include the ICON console for traffic visibility, the Route Server Configurator for BGP-based traffic engineering, the Network Health Monitor publishing real-time MetroNID latency data, and a proprietary OSPF algorithm that prioritizes latency over bandwidth for up to 30% reduction in round-trip times.

NL-IX generates revenue through subscription-based recurring services: port-based peering fees (1GE to 100GE+), Joint Transit blending peering and Tier 1/2 transit on a single port, Cloud Connect to Azure ExpressRoute, Google Cloud Partner Interconnect, and AWS, SaaS Connect, Layer 2 transport (VLL/VPLS/Wave), Elastic Interconnect for traffic segmentation, and DDoS protection (Clean IX via NaWas plus the Deepfield-powered offering). Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed. The company sells primarily through a direct enterprise field-sales motion with consultative engagement, complemented by datacenter partner distribution (Digital Realty, Equinix, Interxion, NorthC, Iron Mountain) and cloud marketplace channels, with marketing driven by technical thought-leadership content, BGP training courses, and recurring regional events. The customer base is shifting from a traditional ISP/hosting majority toward enterprise buyers driven by DORA/NIS2 compliance, cloud/SaaS dependency, and demand for sovereign, controllable internet connectivity.

Name

NL-IX

Legal name

NL-IX

Website

https://nl-ix.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NL-IX is a private Dutch Internet Exchange operator providing distributed pan-European interconnection across ~100 datacenters in 7 countries. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in The Hague, it serves 600+ customers, including ISPs, enterprises, and cloud-first organizations, with peering, transit, and cloud connectivity services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Network Interconnection Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) & Peering Services (HDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cloud Connectivity & Interconnect (Cloud On-Ramps, IX, Cross-Connects) (HDAIAFAF), Carrier Interconnection & Peering Exchanges (IXPs, private interconnect, cross-connect) (HDAIAEAG), Network Interconnect & Peering / IX Services for Streaming (MPAHAIAG)

Keywords

• Internet exchange services
• Network peering platform
• IP transit services
• Cloud connectivity solutions
• DDoS protection services

Headquarters

HQ city

's-gravenhage

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Peering Services: Internet Exchange peering services enabling member networks to exchange traffic directly. Customers connect via physical port (1GE to 100GE+) in NL-ix datacenters and exchange traffic via route servers or bilateral sessions. Fees are typically port-based with flat monthly port fees.
2. IP Transit / Joint Transit: IP Transit service combining peering and full transit routes on a single port. Selects optimal routes across NL-ix peers, Open Peering, and transit upstreams. Typically covers ~95% of enterprise traffic via direct peering routes, remaining via transit.
3. Cloud Connect: Private connectivity to cloud providers (Azure ExpressRoute, Google Cloud Partner Interconnect, AWS) from NL-ix datacenters. Provides direct, low-latency private paths to major cloud platforms without traversing the public internet.
4. SaaS Connect: Connectivity services specifically for reaching SaaS applications and software providers. Extends NL-ix's direct peering relationships with SaaS networks to customers.
5. Transport / MPLS Services: Layer 2 transport services including VLL (Virtual Leased Line), VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service), and Wave (low-latency optical transport). Enables private circuits between datacenters and locations.
6. Anti-DDoS Services: DDoS protection services including NL-ix's own solution powered by Nokia Deepfield, and Clean IX (NaWas-based scrubbing). Provides inline mitigation under 30 seconds. Offered as standalone or bundled with other services.
7. Elastic Interconnect: Flexible, scalable interconnection service that provides visibility and control over traffic flows across the internet. Allows customers to segment and route traffic to specific networks/applications with full visibility.
8. Setup Support / ASN Registration: Professional services for ASN registration, LIR management, IP space allocation, and BGP setup and support. NL-ix assists customers through the registration and onboarding process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NL-ix operates a distributed pan-European Internet Exchange platform built on a Layer 2 Ethernet fabric across approximately 100 datacenters in 15 metropolitan markets spanning 7 Western European countries. The company provides peering, IP transit, cloud connectivity (Azure ExpressRoute, Google Cloud Partner Interconnect), SaaS connectivity, transport (VLL/VPLS/Wave), and DDoS protection services that enable networks and enterprises to directly exchange traffic with 2,400+ connected networks.

Product overview

NL-ix is Europe's leading Internet Exchange offering a distributed interconnection platform spanning ~100 datacenters across 15 European metropolitan markets in 7 countries. The portfolio consists of core peering and transit services (Peering, NL-ix Transit, Cloud Connect, SaaS Connect, Transport Services, Elastic Interconnect) supplemented by security services (NL-ix DDoS Protection, Clean IX from NaWas), management tools (ICON Console, Network Health Monitor, Route Server Configurator), premium access services (Premium Peering, Open Peering, Joint Transit), and professional services (Setup Support, Custom Network, Sovereign Internet). The platform is built on a dual-fabric A/B architecture using Nokia and Juniper equipment with backbone capacities up to 400Gbps wavelengths.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clean IX: Collaborative anti-DDoS service offered by NL-ix in partnership with NaWas (Dutch National Internet Providers Management Organisation).
• ICON (Interconnect Console)
• Joint Transit

Products and services

• Peering Internet Exchange peering service enabling direct traffic exchange between networks through NL-ix's distributed Layer 2 fabric, providing access to 2,400+ networks via ports ranging from 1GE to 100GE+.
• NL-ix Transit Managed IP transit service combining peering and full transit routes on a single port, with automatic route selection prioritizing NL-ix peers then Open Peering then transit upstreams.
• Cloud Connect Private connectivity service to cloud providers including Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute and Google Cloud Partner Interconnect, providing direct low-latency private paths to cloud platforms from 100+ European datacenters.
• SaaS Connect Connectivity service for reaching SaaS applications through NL-ix's direct peering relationships with SaaS networks.
• Transport Services Layer 2 transport services including VLL (Virtual Leased Line), VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service), and Wave (low-latency optical transport) for connecting geographically dispersed networks.
• Elastic Interconnect Flexible, scalable interconnection service providing full visibility and traffic segmentation control, allowing customers to route traffic to specific networks and applications.
• NL-ix DDoS Protection AI/ML-powered DDoS protection service powered by Nokia Deepfield Defender that provides inline mitigation in under 30 seconds without traffic redirection to external scrubbing centers.
• Clean IX from NaWas Collaborative anti-DDoS scrubbing service offered jointly by NL-ix and NaWas (National Anti-DDoS Service from the Dutch National Internet Providers Management Organisation), available on both A-Fabric and B-Fabric.
• ICON Console Web-based portal providing real-time and historical insight into traffic flows, latency, bandwidth, and routing paths across the NL-ix network.
• Premium Peering Paid bilateral peering service providing zero-hop access to Liberty Global/UPC (AS6830), DTAG (AS3320), and Vodafone (AS1273) networks with guaranteed bandwidth and no packet loss.
• Sovereign Internet Network design approach that keeps traffic within NL-ix's trusted backbone infrastructure, reducing exposure to unknown networks and providing visibility into traffic destinations across the 2,400+ connected networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 95% of enterprise internet data delivered within one hop via direct peering
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nokia / Nokia DeepfieldcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Nokia provides Deepfield Defender AI/ML DDoS protection technology that powers NL-ix's self-defending network. NL-ix combines Nokia's IP routers with Deepfield's security platform, using the patented Secure Genome® for internet-wide security visibility. Multi-year deal established. Nokia also provides 7750 PF routers and SRS 7750 switches for 800G network upgrades. Nokia equipment brought power consumption down from 0.9115 Watts to 0.1065 Watts per Gb.
• NaWas / NBIP (Nationale Beheersorganisatie Internet Providers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaWas is a non-profit foundation anti-DDoS service provided by the Dutch National Internet Providers Management Organisation. NL-ix offers Clean IX, a collaborative anti-DDoS scrubbing service jointly delivered by NL-ix and NaWas. NL-ix is redundantly connected to NaWas and also offers Clean-IX over both A-Fabric and B-Fabric for resilience. Marcel de Beule, CEO of customer WAN-Connect, cited NL-ix's connection with NaWas as a key reason for partnership.
• Microsoft Azure (ExpressRoute)coreTechnology or IntegrationNL-ix is an Azure ExpressRoute partner provider for Europe West (Amsterdam2) and Europe North (Dublin2) regions. Customers can create ExpressRoute connections via NL-ix from any of NL-ix's 100+ connected datacenters. Configuration requires selecting NL-ix as provider in Azure Portal and setting Peering Location accordingly.
• Google Cloud (Partner Interconnect)coreTechnology or IntegrationNL-ix is a Google Cloud Partner Interconnect provider. Customers can create redundant VLAN attachments in Google Cloud and use NL-ix as the service provider. NL-ix sets the bandwidth for customer connections. Enables direct private connectivity from any NL-ix datacenter to Google Cloud.
• Digital RealtycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor datacenter partner hosting NL-ix core locations at Schiphol (AMS3, AMS5, AMS6, AMS7, AMS8, AMS10, AMS15, AMS16) and Science Park (AMS17, AMS S9). NL-ix built additional core location at Digital Realty Schiphol campus to support bandwidths up to 400G/800G.
• EquinixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor global datacenter partner. NL-ix present at Equinix LD5 (London), LD8 (London), AM1/AM2/AM5/AM6/AM7/AM11 (Amsterdam Zuid-Oost), and Interxion Frankfurt. Equinix is a core partner for NL-ix's distributed IX model.
• KPNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPN and NL-ix combine SD-WAN and Elastic Interconnect services. This partnership enables Continuum Global Solutions and other enterprises to access integrated security, quality, and agility solutions. Joint offering brings together KPN's SD-WAN with NL-ix's interconnection platform.
• Dutch Data Center Association (DDA)minorOthersNL-ix CEO Jan Hoogenboom quoted by DDA Director Stijn Grove praising NL-ix's 800G rollout as making Amsterdam Europe's first 'Next-Gen Data Hub' and strengthening the Netherlands' position as a Digital Gateway to Europe.
• PeeringDBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNL-ix is a Silver Sponsor of PeeringDB, a freely available user-maintained database of network interconnection data. NL-ix recommends customers maintain up-to-date PeeringDB entries. Some networks require PeeringDB registration before peering.
• Digital Realty (LON19, LON20)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNL-ix operates Fabric A PoP at Digital Realty LON20 and Fabric B PoP at Digital Realty LON19 in London, implementing the A/B fabric resilience model with separate hardware vendors and distinct facilities.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AMS-IX (Amsterdam Internet Exchange): AMS-IX is the Amsterdam-based IX that pioneered European peering and remains a core NL-ix rival for traffic exchange in the Netherlands and broader Western Europe, offering similar port-based and cloud-connect services.
• DE-CIX: DE-CIX is the largest Internet Exchange operator in Europe, running a distributed IX similar to NL-ix across Frankfurt and other major metros. It directly competes for the same peering, transit and cloud-connect workloads serving ISPs, CDNs and enterprises.
• France-IX: France-IX is the leading IX in France, operating peering infrastructure in Paris and Marseille that overlaps with NL-ix's French metro footprint. It competes head-to-head for French carriers, ISPs and enterprise cloud-connect traffic.
• LINX (London Internet Exchange): LINX is the UK's leading IX, operating from London metro datacenters with a member-led model. It competes with NL-ix for enterprise and carrier customers in London and is a regional peer across overlapping Western European metro markets.

Broad incumbents

• Equinix Internet Exchange: Equinix Fabric and Equinix Internet Exchange bundle peering and cross-connect inside the largest global colocation footprint. It overlaps with NL-ix at many shared datacenter locations and competes for the same enterprise interconnection budgets, but as part of a much larger colocation/interconnection portfolio.
• Coresite (American Tower IX): CoreSite (now part of American Tower) operates data centers and an internet exchange in the US serving enterprise and carrier interconnection. It is a broader incumbent that competes with NL-ix for multinational customers seeking colocation-plus-interconnection bundles.
• Hurricane Electric (HE): Hurricane Electric is a global Tier-1 backbone and IX operator with Free peering at many European locations (including significant Amsterdam presence). It competes on IP Transit and port-based peering for the same ISP, hosting and enterprise segments as NL-ix.

Emerging players

• PacketFabric: PacketFabric delivers on-demand, network-as-a-service private interconnection across North America and Europe. It overlaps with NL-ix's Transport (VLL/VPLS) and Elastic Interconnect services for enterprises seeking elastic, self-service connectivity.
• Megaport: Megaport is a software-defined interconnection provider offering on-demand port-based cloud connectivity and peering across global datacenters. It competes with NL-ix's Elastic Interconnect and Cloud Connect for enterprise customers needing flexible, API-driven interconnect.

Regional players

• SwissIX: SwissIX is the neutral Internet Exchange in Switzerland serving a similar audience of ISPs, content networks and enterprises. It is a comparable distributed European IX operator with overlapping peering and cloud-connect use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nl_ix
• Facebookfacebook.com/FaceB.NL.ix

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NL-IX