Digitalization is fundamentally transforming business and society. High-performance digital infrastructures form the foundation for innovation, growth, and international competitiveness. Against this backdrop, a current study by Dstream Group on the 30th anniversary of DE-CIX examines why Frankfurt is now considered the world’s leading “Digital Capital.”
The study compares over 30 international cities based on 27 key metrics. The focus is on Internet Exchanges (IX), data centers, connectivity, network infrastructure, and service quality. The result: Frankfurt is the global digital capital and ranks first. The city leads ahead of Amsterdam, London, Washington D.C., Singapore, and New York.
The region demonstrates particular strengths in the area of Internet exchanges. Frankfurt has a total of 20 Internet Exchanges, nearly 2,500 connected networks (ASNs), and a port capacity exceeding 200 terabits per second. This sets global benchmarks for the location. The centerpiece of this development is the DE-CIX Frankfurt Internet exchange, which has established itself as the world’s largest and most powerful Internet Exchange.
The density of data centers and network infrastructure is also impressive in international comparison. The region offers one of the most developed ecosystems for data centers, IT service providers, cloud providers, and network operators. Furthermore, with nine cloud regions from leading hyperscalers, Frankfurt is one of the most important cloud locations worldwide. Only a few regions such as Washington D.C. achieve comparable values.
Another advantage is the balanced mix of national and international networks. Approximately one-third of the connected networks originate from Germany, while two-thirds come from the international environment. This diversity strengthens the location’s attractiveness for companies across all industries.
Frankfurt excels not only with digital infrastructure but also with outstanding logistical conditions:
Furthermore, Frankfurt impresses with a strong economic ecosystem in the ICT sector. More than 5,000 companies employ around 50,000 people and generate revenue of approximately 10 billion euros.
All these factors make Frankfurt the central hub for data flows, goods, and services in Europe.
Despite its leading position, there is also room for optimization. Particularly in fiber optic expansion, there is a need to catch up. With FTTH/B coverage of only around 40%, the region currently lags behind international top locations.
Additionally, the consistent expansion of sustainable data centers is crucial. For example, the utilization of waste heat and energy-efficient technologies play a central role in securing long-term competitiveness.
Frankfurt’s development into the leading digital capital is the result of decades of investment. Additionally, policy decisions and close collaboration between business, research, and the public sector play a central role. For operators of data centers, network infrastructure, and IT service providers, the location offers optimal conditions for further growth and international expansion.
Frankfurt impressively demonstrates that where digital infrastructure, innovation capacity, and global connectivity converge, a future-proof digital ecosystem emerges. This makes the region one of the most important centers of global digitalization.
The complete English-language study by Dstream Group can be downloaded here for free: “Frankfurt: The digital capital – Internet Exchanges as a success factor for digital ecosystems & economies”.
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