Infrastructure with a future: Embracing the Digital Era

In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, the need for seamless connectivity has become paramount. Digital and Internet-based applications are the foundation of future value creation. From the complex algorithms that control autonomous vehicles to the immersive experiences within the Metaverse, the demand for low latency is undeniable. In the future, milliseconds will make all the difference, especially for data-intensive AI applications, collaborative business models, and the immersive Internet. Every millisecond counts!

Navigating latency challenges

Low latency, defined as the delay in the transmission of data, poses a major challenge, particularly in scenarios requiring split-second decisions. Edge computing, a decentralized processing paradigm, is key to mitigating latency issues. By distributing computing resources closer to end users or devices, edge computing minimizes latency, facilitates real-time decision making, and improves the user experience across various applications. But only when the connectivity between the computing resource and the end-user in question is also optimized to ensure the shortest possible data pathway. Consider a scenario where a financial institution relies on real-time trading data for making instantaneous investment decisions. In this context, latency in connectivity could result in delayed data transmission, potentially causing missed trading opportunities or inaccurate decision-making.

Feeling, seeing, and hearing – it takes our brain 20 milliseconds to process haptic impressions. It takes 13 milliseconds for the central nervous system to decide what our eyes are showing us, and less than 1 millisecond to decide what our ears are perceiving. In gaming, for instance, even a slight delay in data transmission can significantly impact gameplay, causing frustration for players. Today, VR technologies in particular have the potential to offer immersive experiences, as long as the infrastructural requirements are met. Innovations in the field of haptic VR require extremely low latency times of a maximum of 1 millisecond or even just 0.5 milliseconds for some use cases.

When it comes to latency, our perception is incorruptible. We only fully engage with immersive applications when we experience them in the way that feels natural. In other words, it is not just annoying if the experience is not synchronized across all our senses, it is unacceptable.

Unlocking collaborative potential

What is needed for the next generation Internet? Collaboration and connectivity are fundamental pillars driving innovation and economic growth in the digital age. Through an interconnected infrastructure, businesses can leverage real-time data exchange to enhance productivity and deliver immersive user experiences. Whether it's a fiber-optic, mobile or satellite network, if we want to exchange more data packets faster on the current infrastructure, then we need to pick up the pace. If we want to optimize manufacturing processes with AI or revolutionize healthcare with real-time diagnostics, the same applies. Reducing latency fosters efficient data exchange and accelerates collaborative efforts across diverse sectors. A digital future demands wide-scale collaboration that places the focus on customers and applications. Not only between the network and the user, but also between different networks themselves.

The goal: a dense, globally distributed, and interconnected infrastructure. An infrastructure with a future, because it can be interlinked on a neutral and open basis through interconnection services. The result is a robust mesh network that can provide access to computing and storage resources with the speed and agility that society and business demand – from the cloud to the server room in a factory, to the tiny edge unit in the on-board computer of a smart car.

Conclusion: Redefine the norm

As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, low latency is emerging as a cornerstone of technological advancement and economic prosperity. By recognizing its importance and adopting collaborative strategies, we can shape a future where seamless connectivity and real-time interactions redefine the norm. Improving infrastructure is essential to meet the demands of the next generation Internet. This requires broad collaboration and the enhancement of connectivity between different networks, with customer experience and application performance as mutual high priorities.?At DE-CIX , and in the infrastructure industry as a whole, we are paving the way for a vibrant digital ecosystem that empowers businesses, enriches lives, and propels humanity towards a new digital era.

It's crucial that we work together to create the technological conditions for digital progress. Only then can the Internet of the future be an experiential and economic success.