Flexential boosts US data center backbone to 400 Gbps

Flexential has completed a network backbone upgrade to 400 Gbps across 15 of its US data centers, allowing customers to purchase 100 Gbps access ports. The expansion targets growing congestion between facilities as artificial intelligence, data replication, and hybrid cloud traffic increase demand for high-capacity interconnections. While the upgrade does not directly accelerate individual applications, it aims to eliminate bottlenecks that have emerged as enterprises distribute workloads across multiple locations and cloud regions. Customers can now use burstable capacity on a single port rather than aggregating multiple lower-speed connections, simplifying network design for latency-sensitive and data-intensive operations.

What changed

The backbone upgrade covers facilities in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Hillsboro, Oregon. These locations were selected based on observed traffic patterns and customer demand for higher-speed interconnections. The 400 Gbps backbone supports 100 Gbps customer ports, which Flexential positions as a more flexible alternative to traditional fixed-bandwidth models. The company has not disclosed pricing changes associated with the new capacity, but the offering is designed to accommodate variable workloads without requiring customers to pre-provision multiple ports.

Flexential’s decision follows a broader industry trend of infrastructure providers increasing network capacity in response to AI-driven demand. A 2025 report from the company found that 79% of enterprises are now planning data center capacity more than a year in advance, with some extending forecasts up to five years. This shift reflects the longer lead times required for AI infrastructure compared to traditional IT deployments, as well as the need for scalable, high-bandwidth connections between geographically dispersed facilities.

Why it matters

The upgrade addresses a specific pain point for enterprises running distributed workloads: the mismatch between intra-data center speeds and inter-data center connectivity. While individual servers and storage systems can operate at 100 Gbps or higher, traffic between facilities has often been limited by slower backbone links, creating bottlenecks for data replication, disaster recovery, and hybrid cloud architectures. By increasing backbone capacity, Flexential aims to reduce these constraints without requiring customers to overhaul their existing network configurations.

The timing of the upgrade aligns with Flexential’s recent expansions in Atlanta and its participation in the Bifrost Cable System, a transpacific subsea route that entered service in late 2025. The cable, which connects Singapore to Hillsboro, Oregon, provides a direct, high-capacity path for enterprises with operations in Southeast Asia and North America. The combination of domestic backbone upgrades and international connectivity reflects Flexential’s strategy to support customers with globally distributed IT environments.

What to watch

Enterprises evaluating data center providers will likely compare Flexential’s 100 Gbps port offering against alternatives from competitors such as Equinix, CoreSite, and Digital Realty. Key differentiators may include pricing models for burstable capacity, integration with cloud on-ramps, and support for emerging AI workloads. Additionally, Flexential’s expansion in Atlanta—where it is building a fifth facility scheduled to open in early 2028—could influence capacity planning decisions for customers targeting the Southeast US market. The company’s ability to deliver consistent performance across its upgraded backbone will be critical as AI and hybrid cloud adoption continue to drive demand for high-speed, low-latency interconnections.