Where satellite used to be seen as a back-up option, it’s increasingly being regarded as part of our global connectivity backbone, especially as people expect to stay connected wherever they are, even if that’s 38,000 feet in the air.

It’s also a very literal representation of something we’ve known for some time: that connectivity can no longer be bound by geography.

We recently carried out a representative survey in Germany which showed that 70% of people would use satellite Internet if it were stable and widely available, which mirrors exactly what we’re now seeing in the market.

The technology is ready, and so is public demand, but latency remains a key obstacle.

That might not matter for somebody browsing their emails on board an intercontinental flight, but it’s the biggest barrier to satellite connectivity achieving widespread adoption for all use cases.

This move by British Airways and other airlines that have deployed onboard satellite Wi-Fi will do much for the reputation of satellite connectivity.

But for it to become core to our global connectivity infrastructure, the next step should be building the right interconnection pathways – both on Earth and above it.

These pathways will give the satellite technology the low-latency connections it needs to sustain things like real-time AI inference.

Through our Space-IX initiative and the European Space Agency’s OFELIAS project, we’re working on ways to optimize the direct exchange of data between low-Earth-orbit satellites and terrestrial networks – and even between different space-based networks.

The aim is to make these space-based ecosystems as responsive and reliable as those on the ground, so that no matter where users are, on Earth or in the sky, they won’t have to compromise on connectivity.

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The nationally representative study conducted by Censuswide interviewed more than 2,000 U.S. adults and found that those experiencing Internet disruptions on a daily basis are twice as likely to live in the lowest-income states.

If you live in a state where the average yearly income is $40,000-$49,000 you are 48% more likely to experience weekly Internet disruptions than someone who lives in a state where the average income is $60,000-$69,000 (40% vs 27%).

Moreover, you are 130% more likely to experience daily Internet disruptions (11.5% vs 5.0%). For many years, policy makers have sought to address America’s digital divide separating urban and rural areas in terms of Internet connectivity access.

However, the results of this study show a digital disparity between the richest and the poorest across the nation as well as inconsistencies between young Americans and their older counterparts.

Internet Unreliability Hits Young People Hardest

The research reveals that unreliable Internet connections are a fact of life for many. On average, Americans report experiencing Internet disruptions 53 times per year where they currently live, with 82% of Americans acknowledging some level of Internet disruption.

Over a quarter (28%) of Americans experience Internet disruptions on a weekly basis.

Younger people are facing more frequent interruptions than older age groups, with 50% of people aged 18-24 experiencing Internet disruptions once a week or more, compared to 17% of people aged 55 or older.

“Our study highlights a critical issue for a significant proportion of Americans, particularly among Gen Z. This generation increasingly demands high-quality video streaming and uploading capabilities, which are essential for study, remote work, and personal entertainment. As digital natives, Gen Z’s expectations for robust Internet infrastructure are higher, and this trend is set to continue. Strengthening digital infrastructure is not just a priority for meeting the evolving digital needs of younger generations, but also for future workforce strategies,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX.

The levels of Internet reliability sit in stark contrast to the pivotal role Internet connectivity plays in people’s working preferences and migration drivers.

For example, the study also showed that working from home was important to over half (51%) of Americans, with nearly 7 in 10 of 18–24-year-olds expressing a desire to relocate and work remotely, compared to just a fifth of those aged 55 and above.

Network interconnection pioneer Hunter Newby, owner of Newby Ventures and co-founder of Connected Nation IXP (CNIXP) – a joint venture company established with the goal of bringing carrier-neutral Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) to regional hub communities throughout the United States – commented:

“Reliable broadband Internet access should not be a luxury. The social returns on investment in Internet infrastructure are significant – especially when it comes to bridging the digital divide. This survey highlights once again that there is a clear and present need for robust Internet infrastructure investment to foster innovation, shape the modern workplace, and support America’s future workforce to strive and succeed.”

The Censuswide nationally representative study, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. adults last month, highlights the changing dynamics in workplace requirements and residential choices influenced by digital connectivity.

DE-CIX’s latest research sheds light on a shift towards remote work that could redefine traditional employment and urban demographics.

The study shows that nearly half (44%) of Americans would consider relocating if they could maintain their current job remotely, or secure a remote role.

This sentiment is strongest among younger Americans (18–24 years old), with nearly 7 in 10 expressing a desire to move and work remotely from a different location, compared to just a fifth of those aged 55 and above.

Businesses need to prepare for a future where remote work is not just a temporary adjustment but a permanent fixture in our professional landscape.

“Our study indicates that the younger generations in the workforce—particularly Gen Zs — place a high value on flexibility and mobility, elements that will shape future workplace policies and urban planning of digital infrastructure,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX.

Internet Reliability Over Childcare

Another surprising insight from the study is the value placed on reliable Internet access, rated more important than affordable childcare by the average U.S. parent when deciding where to live.

This underscores the essential role of stable digital connectivity in today’s family dynamics and economic decisions.

“In an era where both education and work are increasingly dependent on digital platforms, reliable Internet is not just a utility but a cornerstone of daily life,” Ivanov adds. “This priority reflects broader societal changes where digital readiness is considered as much as childcare when it comes to education and career opportunities.”

Local Findings Highlight Urban Mobility

The survey also highlighted a particular interest in remote work capabilities in major business hubs.

Residents in cities like San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles showed a high propensity to relocate if remote work options were available, with over half of the respondents in these areas directly expressing a desire to move.

“These survey findings are a wake-up call for businesses and urban planners alike to invest in robust Internet infrastructure to retain and attract a vibrant, innovative workforce,” noted Ivanov. “Strengthening Internet Exchanges across America is no longer just about business continuity; it’s about competitive advantage and community resilience.”

Summary of key findings:

• Remote Work Preference: More than half (51%) of Americans value remote and flexible working arrangements, with younger demographics (18-24-year-olds) showing a much stronger preference compared to their older (+55 year old) colleagues (64% vs 31%).

• Migration Considerations: 44% of Americans would consider relocating if they could maintain their jobs remotely. The high percentages of residents wanting remote work to enable them to move were in cities like San Francisco (55%), New York City (49%), and Los Angeles (61%).

• Internet vs. Childcare: Reliable Internet access is prioritized over affordable childcare among U.S. parents of children under 18 (25% vs 16%) when deciding where to live, highlighting the essential role of Internet connectivity in modern family dynamics.

• Internet Disruptions: On average, Americans report experiencing Internet disruptions 53 times per year where they currently live, with 82% of Americans acknowledging some level of Internet disruption. Younger people are facing more frequent interruptions compared to older age groups, with 50% of people aged 18-24 experiencing Internet disruptions once a week or more compared to 18% of people aged 55 or older.

• Improvement Suggestions: The top suggestions for improving Internet experience include a greater choice of Internet Service Providers (37%), more fiber/mobile rollout (34%), and increased state (22%) and federal investment (20%) in Internet infrastructure.

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Twelve networks are already connected or in the process of connecting to the new data center and carrier neutral IX.

The interconnection platform is hosted in the IRAQ-IXP data center in Baghdad and operated by DE-CIX under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model.

The IX will in future also be directly connected to the world’s largest interconnection ecosystem through DE-CIX Istanbul and DE-CIX Frankfurt, the largest IX in Europe.

This allows customers to access thousands of networks globally. IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX is built on DE-CIX’s award-winning interconnection infrastructure, offering peering, cloud connectivity, and enterprise-grade interconnection services.

The interconnection platform is set to serve as a hub for regional connectivity, enabling local networks to benefit from low-latency interconnection and the localization of global content, while increasing network stability, scalability, and security.

“The millions of users in Iraq deserve digital services of state-of-the-art quality. This requires the best local infrastructure possible, which DE-CIX is delighted to contribute to. With a strong and diverse landscape of Internet service and network providers, Iraq is in need of local interconnection to create local data and content gravity, and its Internet connectivity will be strongly enhanced through the new IX. IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX is the ideal place for international networks interested in reaching this important Middle Eastern market,” comments Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX. “The new IX, established through the partnership between DE-CIX and IRAQ-IXP, will unleash the potential of the country’s emerging digital economy by providing better performance and user experience of content and applications, and affordable and high-quality Internet access for enterprises and individuals.”

“We have a strong vision to provide improved connection services to our customers, taking care of data flow in terms of speed and comprehensive security,” comments Ahmed Rakwi, CEO of IRAQ-IXP, on the new Internet Exchange. “IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX is set to serve local, regional, and international ISPs, CDNs, content and cloud, as well as enterprise networks, covering the interconnection demand of our customers. This partnership will improve the resilience of local and regional connectivity, lower the latency of data traffic, and improve the performance of cloud-based resources and applications.”

DE-CIX, home to the largest neutral interconnection ecosystem in the world, has been active in the Middle East for more than a decade, and now operates IXs in several countries in the region: the UAE, Jordan, and Iraq, as well as Turkey.

IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX joins such success stories as the UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX in Dubai, also operated under the DaaS model.

The DaaS program includes a set of services – such as installation, maintenance, provisioning, marketing and sales support – designed for data center operators or other third parties to create their own Internet Exchange and interconnection platform fully operated by DE-CIX.