Metro Connect Release Notes
Equinix Metro Connect allows you to connect to a partner, customer, or one of your own separate deployments at a different IBX facility. Metro Connect services carry other network-based services, such as Internet Exchange or Cloud Exchange between IBXs in certain metros.
Release Date:
Metro Connect 2026.1
Metro Connect 2026.1 is available in August 2026.
New Fabric Metro Connect and Optical Metro Connect Ordering Experience
Customers can choose between two Metro Connect offerings when ordering connectivity services: Fabric Metro Connect (FMC) and Optical Metro Connect (OMC). Each offering includes a dedicated ordering flow, making it easier to select the appropriate service and provide the required configuration details. The updated experience helps customers choose the service that best aligns with their bandwidth and transport technology needs.
Fabric Metro Connect uses Ethernet switching and routing technologies to provide Layer 2 point-to-point connectivity between Equinix IBX locations through the Equinix Fabric infrastructure. FMC is designed for 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps connectivity requirements.
Optical Metro Connect uses Layer 1 transport platforms to provide wavelength-based point-to-point connectivity between selected Equinix IBX locations. OMC is optimized for high-capacity optical transport services, including 100 Gbps connectivity. In select metros, OMC also supports 10 Gbps connectivity.
Metro Connect 2023.1
Metro Connect 2023.1 is available September 2023.
Extensive details about Equinix Metro Connect locations and latency speed are now provided in product documentation.
Geographic Expansions
Metro Connect is available in additional IBX data centers, including Mumbai, India, and more metro locations in the Americas. For a list of IBX options, see Product Availability.
Latency Data and Recommendations
Equinix now publishes round-trip latency data for various Layer 1 and Layer 2 Metro Connect connections. For details and additional notes, refer to these regions:
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Metro Connect Spotlight | 5:36 min |
| Order Metro Connect | 4:48 min |