EXA Infrastructure Unveils Project Visegrád in Central Europe

EXA Infrastructure has unveiled plans for Project Visegrád, a large-scale fiber backbone deployment set to reshape cross-border connectivity in Central Europe. The initiative, announced as the most significant fiber rollout in the region in 25 years, will link Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary with EXA’s hyperscale network in Germany and Austria.

The new backbone will establish high-capacity fiber routes connecting Warsaw, Poznań, Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest directly to Berlin, Frankfurt, and Vienna. As part of the project, EXA Infrastructure will also expand its metro fiber footprints in Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, and Berlin to integrate leading carrier-neutral data centers.

Central Europe has been one of Europe’s fastest-growing digital economies, yet connectivity to international markets has historically fallen behind that of Western Europe. According to EXA Infrastructure CEO Jim Fagan, Project Visegrád aims to close this gap. “With Project Visegrád we are building the resilient, scalable backbone needed to unlock the region’s full potential, while extending EXA’s reach into new growth markets across the Balkans, Turkey and beyond,” he said.

Connectivity for Hyperscalers, Carriers, Enterprises

The infrastructure will be designed for long-term scalability, beginning with 216-fibre Corning Ultra G.652D cable housed within HDPE ducts containing multiple microducts. This configuration would not only maximize flexibility but also allow for seamless upgrades to future technologies such as hollow-core fiber. Most of the routes will run through protected corridors alongside existing oil and gas infrastructure, including the Druzhba oil pipeline, to ensure high levels of resilience.

Mr. Fagan emphasized that the new backbone will deliver a step change in both performance and reliability, setting a benchmark for optical networks in the region. “It will also provide a future-proof foundation for hyperscalers, carriers and enterprises that require the highest standards of connectivity,” he said.

The first fiber routes of Project Visegrád are expected to be operational by mid-2026, with further rollouts continuing through 2027. The initiative signals EXA’s commitment to expanding its footprint in high-growth markets while delivering infrastructure tailored for the increasing demands of hyperscalers and enterprise customers.