Groundbreaking held for Kansas’ first internet exchange point

Connected Nation and Wichita State university officials were joined by state and local dignitaries on May 15 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Kansas’ first carrier-neutral internet exchange point (IXP). The project aims to strengthen digital infrastructure and expand high-speed connectivity.

The IXP facility being developed by Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points LLC (CNIXP) will be located on East 21st Street (directly across from WSU’s Eck Stadium).

“This groundbreaking marks a transformative step forward for Kansas’s digital future,” said Tom Ferree, chairman and CEO of Connected Nation. “With this IXP, we’re building more than just a facility — we’re building the foundation for faster, more affordable and more secure internet across the region.”

Once complete, the IXP will become the nexus for the highest-bandwidth, lowest-latency, lowest-cost and most-resilient network connectivity available anywhere in the state. It will serve as a central hub where local and regional networks can directly peer (i.e., exchange internet traffic) with each other and with content and cloud service providers — resulting in faster, more efficient and more secure connectivity for businesses, institutions and residents alike.

“Implementing access to this IXP will create shorter routes for internet traffic, which can lower costs for everyone,” said Bill Abston, director, Kansas Broadband Development Office. “We are going to see more affordable alternatives to sending local internet traffic abroad — while also offering better resilience, stability, efficiency and quality.”

WSU made the project possible by providing a 40-year ground lease, which the Kansas Board of Regents approved in December 2023 — the value of which will serve as an in-kind match to the state grant. The hardened modular facility will be constructed to withstand severe weather and will feature redundant power systems, ensuring it remains fully operational even during extended power outages. The design also allows for seamless modular expansion with zero downtime as demand increases.

“This partnership reflects Wichita State’s commitment to innovation, economic development and serving the needs of our state,” said Dr. Richard Muma, Wichita State University president. “Hosting Kansas’s first Internet Exchange Point across from our Innovation Campus will not only benefit our students and faculty but also provide critical infrastructure to support business, research and community growth across the region.”

Wichita’s Internet Exchange (IX) platform will be managed in collaboration with DE-CIX, the world’s leading IX operator. Together, the DE-CIX Internet and Cloud Exchanges in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Richmond, Houston and Phoenix, and the dedicated Cloud Exchange in Seattle, create the largest neutral interconnection ecosystem in North America. Wichita will now join that elite club.

“Future AI applications will require real-time responsiveness — whether in healthcare, autonomous transportation systems, smart manufacturing, or a myriad of other contexts. They can’t tolerate the delays associated with routing data through distant cities,” said Hunter Newby, CNIXP co-founder. “Local, carrier-neutral IXPs like the one we’re building in Wichita are essential to reducing lag time and enabling the next generation of AI-powered services to operate effectively and reliably.”

Construction is expected to be completed in early 2026, with operations beginning shortly thereafter.

For more information about the project or to pre-order space in the facility, interested parties may contact ixp@connectednation.org.