Overview
Executive Overview
EXA Infrastructure is a leading global digital infrastructure provider, headquartered in London, that specializes in high-capacity terrestrial and subsea fiber-optic connectivity. Formed in late 2021 following the acquisition of GTT Communications' infrastructure assets by I Squared Capital, the company has quickly established itself as the largest dedicated infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America.
The company’s core business revolves around providing the "backbone" of the internet. Their extensive network includes over 151,000 kilometers of fiber, 500+ Points of Presence (PoPs), and 13 Tier 3 data centers. EXA serves a sophisticated client base consisting of hyperscalers (such as AWS, Google, and Microsoft), global carriers, government agencies, and large enterprises in data-intensive sectors like finance, media, and research.
Historically, the assets within EXA’s portfolio represent decades of strategic investment, including the integration of legacy networks from Interoute, Hibernia Networks, and KPN International. Today, EXA focuses on three primary pillars:
- Connectivity Services: Wavelengths, Ethernet, and SD-WAN solutions.
- Dark Fiber: Providing dedicated, unlit fiber strands for maximum customer control.
- Colocation: Secure, high-power-density data center space at key network intersections.
Operating in a market driven by the exponential growth of data consumption, EXA’s strategy is centered on continuous network expansion and the deployment of next-generation optical technology to support the evolving needs of the global digital economy.
Company Differentiation
EXA Infrastructure distinguishes itself through a specialized focus on digital infrastructure as a standalone entity, born from the strategic carve-out of GTT Communications' infrastructure division. Unlike diversified telecommunications giants, EXA’s business model is built exclusively around the ownership and operation of physical assets—fiber, subsea cables, and data centers. This singular focus fosters a culture of technical excellence and long-term investment in capacity that is often diluted in retail-focused telcos.
The company operates with a "customer-first, infrastructure-only" philosophy, prioritizing the needs of high-bandwidth users who require transparency and control over their routes. Their approach to customer success is rooted in high-touch engineering support and a commitment to rapid delivery of complex, cross-border solutions. By maintaining a lean, agile organizational structure, EXA can pivot quickly to address emerging market demands, such as the sudden capacity requirements of AI and cloud clusters, positioning themselves as a flexible partner rather than a rigid utility provider. This specialization allows them to maintain a carrier-neutral stance, making them a preferred underlying partner for competitors and hyperscalers alike.
Company Demographics
Product Offerings
EXA Infrastructure categorizes its offerings into three primary tiers:
- Dark Fiber: The "raw" asset. Customers get dedicated strands of fiber and provide their own lighting equipment. Best for organizations requiring maximum control and virtually unlimited scalability.
- Wavelengths (Optical): Managed high-capacity circuits (10G to 400G). EXA provides the equipment and guarantees the bandwidth. Ideal for data center interconnect (DCI) and high-capacity backhaul.
- Ethernet & Cloud Connect: Layer 2 managed services for simpler connectivity between offices or into major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google).
- Specialized Routes: Products like EXA Express (ultra-low latency transatlantic) and EXA Rise (diverse entry points for critical sites) target specific performance niches.
Product Differentiation
The EXA Infrastructure product suite is defined by its massive scale and strategic geographic footprint, encompassing over 151,000 kilometers of fiber across 34 countries. A primary differentiator is their ownership of critical subsea assets, including the GTT Express (formerly Hibernia Express), which provides the lowest-latency route between New York and London. This technical advantage is a cornerstone for financial services and high-frequency trading firms.
Key product innovations and advantages include:
- **Diverse Routing:** EXA offers unique, high-diversity routes that bypass traditional congested hubs, providing greater resilience for mission-critical traffic.
- **Ultra-High Capacity:** Their network is engineered to support 400G and 800G wavelengths, catering specifically to the data-heavy requirements of AI model training and hyperscale cloud synchronization.
- **Subsea Leadership:** With ownership of multiple transatlantic and Mediterranean cables, EXA provides seamless end-to-end connectivity between North America, Europe, and increasingly into the Middle East via their "Trans-Adriatic Pipeline" routes.
- **Dark Fiber Availability:** Unlike many incumbents who prefer selling managed services, EXA remains a major provider of dark fiber, allowing customers to deploy their own equipment and control their own optical layers.
Their focus on "Infrastructure-as-a-Service" at the physical layer ensures that their products are optimized for performance, scalability, and security, rather than being bundled with unnecessary software-layer add-ons.
