Zayo accelerates AI workloads with 400G connectivity

Where high-capacity connectivity meets AI-ready infrastructure

AI is reshaping infrastructure requirements. From powering bandwidth-intensive AI applications to enabling real-time data insights, enterprises need environments that can move massive amounts of data quickly, reliably and at scale. Meeting that demand requires more than a strong network or a well-connected data center. It takes both. That’s why Zayo, backed by EQT and DigitalBridge, and Equinix have teamed up to deliver a new kind of solution by combining Zayo’s 400G-enabled network backbone with AI-optimized infrastructure on Equinix Connected Cloud, available in 45+ global metros.

Keeping pace with AI’s bandwidth demands

The need for high-capacity connectivity is clear, especially in an era when AI-based workloads often need to ingest and process vast amounts of data in real time.

400G connectivity, which supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Gbps, addresses this need. Yet accessing and deploying 400G remains a challenge. Not all data centers offer compatible infrastructure or access to network providers that can deliver true 400G capacity and connect it to the clouds and workloads enterprises depend on. Even when they do, setting up and managing 400G “waves” (i.e., data connections) can be complex, costly and time-consuming, especially for enterprises without specialized teams or resources. The result is that many organizations struggle to scale their networks fast enough to support modern workloads like AI, real-time analytics and cloud-native applications.

As Aaron Werley, Vice President, Technology, Zayo, puts it, “AI workloads demand unprecedented speed and scale, pushing the boundaries of traditional infrastructure with massive data flows and real-time processing needs.”

Bringing 400G closer to the workloads that need it

In partnership with Zayo, Equinix developed the right technology and support teams in each of its data centers to provide 400G-capable transport for connectivity needs. Through Equinix Connected Cloud™, that high-capacity connectivity comes together with AI-optimized infrastructure and direct access to the cloud ecosystem, creating a more streamlined environment for scaling AI workloads.

Paired with Equinix’s expertise in data center network architecture, access to Zayo’s 400G-enabled network allows enterprises to use Zayo’s 19.1 million fiber-mile network for IP, Ethernet and Wavelength networking needs. Today, Zayo’s core Wavelength Network is 100% 400G-enabled across North America, helping businesses move more data, faster.

“We’re integrating Zayo’s robust, high-capacity connectivity solutions and leading 400G network capabilities directly within Equinix’s strategically located, AI-optimized data centers,” Werley explains. Currently, 16 Equinix data centers are part of Zayo’s Quick-Connect program, which offers faster, more seamless access to high-capacity bandwidth without lengthy setup times.

Scaling AI without the build

Zayo and Equinix give enterprises 400G IP and Wavelength capabilities. The result is the ability to handle substantially more data and provide greater reliability than previous network standards. Thanks to Equinix’s global presence, 400G capabilities from Zayo are available anywhere around the world. With network capacity and AI-ready infrastructure available together, businesses can now quickly deploy workloads in domains like AI and content streaming, which require ultra-high bandwidth and minimal latency, all without the operational cost or complexity of building 400G infrastructure capacity from scratch.

The Equinix partnership “ensures our shared customers have immediate, seamless access to the high-performance communications infrastructure that is absolutely essential for rapidly deploying, managing and scaling their critical AI initiatives effectively,” Werley says. For example, consider i3D.net, a European gaming company. To detect cheating, i3D.net analyzes screenshots during play using AI. The ability to process large volumes of data in real time is critical for this use case, which is why the company deploys in over 35 Equinix locations. This keeps workloads close to users and uses Zayo’s ultra-low latency network connectivity solutions to support its distributed AI workloads.

Benefits

Secure connectivity

Businesses benefit from dedicated bandwidth using defined physical and logical path connectivity.

Reliability 

Enterprises get consistent latency, guaranteed availability and transparent services from IP Transit to Ethernet and Wavelength solutions.

Rapid deployment and agility 

Zayo Waves on Demand and Quick-Connect Data Centers enable enterprises to deploy and scale high-performance connections in a matter of days.

Scalability without complexity 

400G IP PoPs provide seamless, high-capacity connectivity that grows with businesses. 

Customization opportunities 

Diverse, latency-sensitive and custom fiber and hardware configurations are fully supported, allowing enterprises to choose the ideal network configuration for their needs.