We’re proud to announce that CANIX has received OIX-1 certification from OIX across all four of our Internet Exchange Points: Montréal, Québec City, Ottawa, and Toronto.
This certification is the result of a rigorous, community-driven review process conducted by the OIX Standards Committee. It confirms that CANIX’s infrastructure, operations, and policies meet the highest global benchmarks for Internet Exchange Points — a significant milestone for us, and for Canadian internet infrastructure as a whole.
What Is an Internet Exchange Point — and Why Does Standardization Matter?
An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is the physical location where different networks — internet service providers, content delivery networks, cloud platforms, universities, and businesses — connect directly with one another. Instead of routing data across the world through expensive third-party transit providers, networks at an IXP exchange traffic locally, directly, and efficiently.
The result: faster speeds, lower latency, reduced costs, and a more resilient internet.
In Canada, keeping traffic local is especially important. Without a strong IXP ecosystem, Canadian internet traffic often travels through the United States — even when the sender and the recipient are both in Canada. This introduces unnecessary delays, costs, and dependencies on foreign infrastructure.
But not all IXPs are built alike. As the internet has grown from a hobbyist’s experiment into critical national infrastructure, the need for consistent standards has become urgent. Networks connecting at an IXP need to trust that the platform they’re peering on meets minimum requirements for reliability, security, transparency, and technical quality.
This is precisely what IXP standardization solves.
Enter OIX and the OIX-1 Standard
OIX is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality, open interconnection through independent certification. Founded with the support of world-class IXP managers, engineers, and their customers, OIX developed the OIX-1 certification as the first-ever global standard for Internet Exchange Points.
The OIX-1 standard establishes a minimum level of service, engineering, and operational quality that a certified IXP must meet. It covers areas such as:
- Technical infrastructure — fabric design, redundancy, supported speeds, and hardware quality
- Operational practices — monitoring, incident response, NOC availability, and maintenance windows
- Transparency and neutrality — open peering policies, published route server configurations, and pricing fairness
- Security — physical security, network isolation, and protection against route leaks
Achieving OIX-1 certification means undergoing a peer review by the OIX Standards Committee — a global body of IXP operators and community experts. The process is rigorous, independent, and community-driven. It’s not a self-declaration; it’s a stamp of approval from your peers.
OIX-1 certified exchanges now appear in the OIX Certification Directory, alongside globally recognized names like DE-CIX, MIX, INX-ZA, and others.
CANIX Is Now OIX-1 Certified — All Four Exchanges
We submitted CANIX’s four exchanges — Montréal, Québec City, Ottawa, and Toronto — for OIX-1 review, and we’re thrilled to share that all four have been approved.
This means every CANIX location now meets the global standard for:
- Reliable, redundant network infrastructure
- Transparent and neutral peering operations
- Responsive technical support and NOC coverage
- Industry-recognized security and operational practices
For our members and peers, this certification is a direct signal: when you connect at CANIX, you’re connecting to infrastructure that meets a verified, global quality standard.
Why This Matters for Canada
CANIX was built on the belief that Canada deserves world-class internet infrastructure — infrastructure that is neutral, community-owned, and technically excellent. Since our formation, we’ve studied the most mature IXP ecosystems in the world, particularly in Europe, and set out to bring those best practices to Canada.
Earning OIX-1 certification across all four of our exchanges is a concrete validation of that commitment. It places CANIX alongside some of the most respected IXPs on the planet and signals to networks in Canada and beyond: CANIX is not just a local exchange. It’s a globally benchmarked platform.
This certification also matters in a broader regulatory context. As Canada’s digital infrastructure matures and frameworks like Bill C-26 set the stage for increased oversight over critical telecommunications infrastructure, having independently verified certifications becomes essential. OIX-1 is a proactive step toward demonstrating that CANIX is ready to meet the expectations of a more regulated future — without compromising its community-first values.
What’s Next
Achieving OIX-1 certification is a milestone — but it’s not a finish line. We remain committed to continuing to invest in our infrastructure, grow our community, and meet the evolving needs of Canadian networks.
If you’re a network operator interested in peering at CANIX, now is a great time to get started. Our four certified exchanges offer carrier-grade infrastructure, flexible port options, and a community that genuinely cares about making the internet better.