Global Internet Traffic Hits 79 Exabytes in 2025 as Southeast Asia’s Interconnection Demand Accelerates

SINGAPORE, January 21, 2026 – Global Internet traffic continued its rapid upward trajectory in 2025, with total data exchanged across DE-CIX platforms worldwide reaching 79 exabytes (EB)—a year-on-year increase of around 15 per cent, and more than double the volume recorded in 2020, according to figures released by the world’s leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator.

The surge was driven by a combination of live event streaming, growing AI workloads, billions of connected devices and sustained demand for cloud-based services, reinforcing the critical role of high-capacity, resilient digital infrastructure in the global economy.

Southeast Asia transitions from build-out to utilisation

Southeast Asia emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions within DE-CIX’s global footprint, reflecting the region’s transition from rapid infrastructure deployment to stronger utilisation and data exchange.

By 2025, traffic across the DE-CIX Southeast Asia distributed platform had grown 140 per cent, reaching 1.2 EB, underlining the region’s maturing digital demand. Malaysia’s traffic remained steady at 93 petabytes (PB), highlighting its position as a stable and reliable interconnection hub as Southeast Asia scales to support future cloud and AI growth.

Earlier momentum laid the groundwork for this shift. In 2023, Southeast Asia recorded a 21 per cent increase in connected networks and a 44 per cent rise in connected capacity, with the Singapore–Johor Bahru market posting 63 per cent capacity growth. This infrastructure expansion is now translating into tangible increases in data exchange.

Europe and North America remain key traffic centres

At Frankfurt, home to Europe’s largest Internet Exchange, DE-CIX Frankfurt recorded 48 EB of data traffic in 2025, representing a 6 per cent year-on-year increase and a 65 per cent rise compared to 2021. The exchange also set a new all-time throughput record during the year.

In North America, total traffic across DE-CIX platforms reached 11 EB, up from 7.5 EB in 2024. Growth was particularly strong in Dallas, which expanded 35 per cent to 3.5 EB, while Chicago, one of DE-CIX’s newer locations, recorded 400 per cent growth, exceeding 650 PB in its first full year of operation.

Elsewhere, Madrid and Dubai each recorded 2.7 EB of traffic, while Istanbul saw 927 PB, up 28 per cent year on year. Newer exchanges in Mexico City / Queretaro and São Paulo also posted early growth in their first months of operation.

Live events continue to drive traffic spikes

The single busiest day of 2025 occurred on 9 December, coinciding with a high-profile UEFA Champions League matchday. Global data throughput peaked at 26.99 terabits per second (Tbit/s), illustrating the growing influence of live sports and real-time content on Internet usage patterns.

At the same moment, DE-CIX Frankfurt recorded a new local peak of 18.73 Tbit/s, reinforcing its role as a critical European and global connectivity hub.

Digital infrastructure underpins economic activity

Commenting on the results, Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, said the sustained growth reflects structural shifts in how digital services are consumed. “The growth in global data traffic is being driven by streaming, AI workloads, billions of connected devices and the rise of remote and hybrid work around the world,” he said, adding that spikes from major live events, gaming and software releases further underscore the need for resilient, high-capacity infrastructure.

As enterprises, cloud providers and digital economies continue to scale, DE-CIX’s 2025 figures highlight how Internet Exchanges are becoming increasingly central to enabling cross-border data flows, digital services and emerging AI-driven business models—particularly across high-growth regions such as Southeast Asia.