Shaping the Future of Transatlantic Digital Infrastructure

dotmagazine: Ivo, as CEO of DE-CIX, you’re the initiator and one of the founders of the Atlantic Convergence, with the second conference and event due to take place in Lisbon this year from October 28th to 30th. What can we expect from this year’s edition – and how is it developing from last year’s inaugural event?

Ivo Ivanov: We are excited to host the second edition of Atlantic Convergence. Once again taking place at the historic Pátio da Galé in Lisbon, the conference will bring together visionaries, thought leaders, power users, and the architects of digital infrastructure from both sides of the Atlantic. Building on the success of our inaugural event, which welcomed over 500 attendees from more than 300 companies and 60 countries, we have several exciting developments for the second edition.

This year, the conference is focusing on digital assets, digital infrastructure, and pan-Atlantic development. Sessions will delve into key areas such as security, digital citizenship, public policies, geostrategy, sustainability, and use cases. The agenda is set by independent experts who will provide the most relevant trends, insights, and opportunities in the digital demand and infrastructure of the Atlantic region.

dot: In last year’s Atlantic Convergence, what was discussed about the digital drivers of the pan-Atlantic economy and how are needs changing in an evolving technology landscape?

Ivo: In last year’s Atlantic Convergence, participants discussed several key digital drivers of the pan-Atlantic economy. One of the main highlights was the emphasis on digital connectivity as the leading driver of Atlantic convergence. We explored how the pan-Atlantic digital seaway is the busiest in the world, with goods, services, investment, and digital commerce flows exceeding those of the Pacific. Regarding new tech needs, the conference delved into the latest trends and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and 6G mobile technology – how these are evolving around the Atlantic Ocean and what needs to be done to support development. These technologies are crucial for supporting the evolving demands of enterprise digital needs. This is such an incredibly exciting time in the technology sphere!

This year, the conference aims to stay ahead of the curve by exploring the emerging ecosystem around the Atlantic Ocean, where digital transformation and the digital assets of enterprises are reshaping global data flows and uncovering unprecedented opportunities. Participants will gain deep insights and learn from the success stories of leading enterprises and renowned experts.

dot: Given the growing geopolitical and security challenges, how are African, European, and North & South American stakeholders prioritizing resilience in transatlantic digital infrastructure? What role does cross-continental collaboration play in mitigating risks and ensuring robust interconnection?

Ivo: Resilience is a fundamental pillar in the development of digital infrastructure. In an increasingly interconnected world, it’s essential that systems are designed to withstand disruptions and recover quickly. This includes building redundancy, ensuring geographic diversity in infrastructure, and establishing clear measures for recovery and business continuity. International collaboration is key: digital networks don’t stop at national borders. Cross-border coordination enhances security, enables rapid incident response, and promotes alignment on standards and best practices. Ultimately, a resilient digital infrastructure requires a resilient global ecosystem.

dot: How does the Atlantic Convergence facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among stakeholders, and what unique opportunities does it offer for participants to enhance their digital infrastructure strategies?

Ivo: By bringing together key players from Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the event creates a unique platform for collaboration and innovation. Experts, innovators, and infrastructure operators from both sides of the Atlantic can engage in meaningful dialogue and shared learning. Participants have the opportunity to exchange insights, address shared challenges, and explore emerging technologies and regulatory developments. This kind of open exchange often sparks new ideas, partnerships, and investment opportunities. Especially in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, such forums are essential to align on priorities, build trust, and drive joint innovation that strengthens transatlantic cooperation.

Overall, the Atlantic Convergence provides a vibrant and diverse environment for stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and innovate, driving the development of resilient and secure digital infrastructure across the Atlantic region.

dot: With the Atlantic region growing as a key digital ecosystem, do you believe that domain management strategies are evolving in response to the shifting geopolitical and technological landscape across Europe, Africa, and North and South America?

Ivo: Absolutely. As the Atlantic region continues to develop as a crucial digital ecosystem, any strategies that engender trust need to evolve to address the shifting geopolitical and technological landscape. The increasing importance of digital sovereignty and security has led stakeholders across Europe, Africa, and the Americas to prioritize robust domain management practices in order to protect digital identities and ensure the integrity of online operations. Additionally, as I mentioned before, there is a growing emphasis on redundancy and resilience to ensure continuous and reliable digital services, even in the face of geopolitical tensions and technological disruptions.

dot: Looking ahead, what transformative changes do you anticipate in pan-Atlantic digital infrastructure over the next five to ten years?

Ivo: Thanks for your question! One of the key developments will be the expansion and enhancement of subsea cable networks, which will significantly improve connectivity between the continents bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The number and capacity of cables and the diversity of routes is growing constantly. This provides greater bandwidth, lower latency, and improved redundancy, ensuring more reliable and resilient digital services wherever people and businesses are around the Atlantic.

Furthermore, I expect to see a greater focus on sustainability in digital infrastructure projects. This includes the development of increasingly energy-efficient data centers, the use of renewable energy sources, and the implementation of green technologies to minimize the environmental impact of digital operations.

The Atlantic Convergence conference and event will be a great place to discuss and foster collaboration to make these opportunities a reality!

Ivo Ivanov has been Chief Executive Officer at DE-CIX and Chair of the Board of the DE-CIX Group AG since 2022. Prior to this, Ivanov was Chief Operating Officer of DE-CIX and Chief Executive Officer of DE-CIX International, responsible for the global business activities of the leading Internet Exchange operator in the world. He has more than 20 years of experience in the regulatory, legal and commercial Internet environment. Ranked as one of the top 100 most influential professionals of the Telecom industry (Capacity Magazine’s Power 100 listing, 2021/2022/2023/2024), Ivo is regularly invited to share his vision and thought leadership in various industry-leading conferences around the globe.