EXA Infrastructure, one of Europe’s largest digital infrastructure providers, has announced the acquisition of Conexio doo Beograd’s long-haul duct assets — a move that cements its presence in the Balkans and aligns with its mission to create the continent’s most reliable and modern network.

The acquisition follows EXA’s recent €1.3 billion refinancing, signaling strong investor confidence and financial stability as it continues to expand across Central and Southeastern Europe. For a region that has long faced infrastructure gaps and connectivity fragmentation, this is a significant development — both strategically and symbolically.

A Strategic Fit for Europe’s Fastest-Growing Network

Under the new agreement, EXA Infrastructure will purchase Conexio’s entire long-haul network assets in Serbia. This includes two high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ducts spanning roughly 860 kilometers, existing fiber cables, and 15 points of presence (PoP) across the country.

What’s particularly valuable about this acquisition is not just the physical infrastructure — it’s the integration potential. Conexio’s network runs along major Serbian motorways and connects key cities like Belgrade, Niš, and Novi Sad. From there, it links directly to the borders of Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. These routes are among the shortest and most latency-efficient border-to-border corridors in the region, giving EXA a massive advantage in delivering low-latency, high-reliability services.

As part of the deal, EXA will also take over existing Conexio customer contracts, ensuring continuity of services and a smooth transition for clients.

“A Core Piece of Our European Strategy”

Steve Roberts, Senior Vice President of Strategic Investments at EXA Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of this move:

“The purchase of the Conexio assets is core to our strategy to create the most reliable, modern infrastructure network in Europe. Conexio’s assets integrate seamlessly with our previous acquisitions of Unitel in Croatia and GCN in Bulgaria, meaning EXA Infrastructure now operates the leading homogeneous network connecting Western Europe to the Balkans, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and beyond.”

This statement highlights EXA’s clear ambition — to unify what has traditionally been a patchwork of regional networks into a cohesive, high-capacity system stretching from Western Europe deep into Southeastern Europe and Asia.

Building the Backbone of Digital Europe

Founded over two decades ago, EXA Infrastructure is backed by I Squared Capital and has become a powerhouse in global connectivity. With 155,000 kilometers of fiber across 37 countries — including six transatlantic cables — EXA operates the lowest-latency link between Europe and North America. Its networks are critical for government, enterprise, and hyperscale customers, supporting everything from financial transactions to gaming and broadcasting services.

The acquisition of Conexio fits neatly within this broader vision: enhancing redundancy, reducing latency, and expanding access across Europe’s fast-growing digital corridor.

Why This Deal Matters for the Balkans

For the Balkans, this move could mark the start of a new era in digital infrastructure development. Serbia, Croatia, and Bulgaria — all now part of EXA’s footprint — sit at the crossroads of major European and Asian data routes. Yet, until recently, much of the region’s network capacity was dominated by legacy infrastructure and national operators.

By bringing Conexio’s assets under its umbrella, EXA not only increases reliability and capacity but also introduces modern engineering standards to a region often overlooked by global telecom giants. This could help accelerate local cloud adoption, boost data center development, and improve cross-border data exchange — all crucial for regional economic growth.

How EXA Compares to Other Players

While EXA Infrastructure continues its expansion spree, competitors such as Zayo, Colt Technology Services, and DE-CIX are also investing heavily in network modernization across Europe. However, EXA’s focus on the Balkans and Southeastern Europe sets it apart — these are regions where few Tier-1 infrastructure players have built such extensive networks.

Moreover, according to TeleGeography and Capacity Media, Europe’s connectivity market is shifting rapidly toward integrated, end-to-end solutions that reduce latency between major hubs and emerging markets. In this context, EXA’s strategy of acquiring and modernizing regional assets positions it well for long-term dominance.

The Bigger Picture: A More Connected Europe

The transaction, pending regulatory approval, comes at a pivotal moment for European digital transformation. As the EU pushes for greater connectivity under its Digital Decade 2030 agenda, private players like EXA are playing an equally vital role in making cross-border data infrastructure more resilient and efficient.

From the perspective of both industry and policy, EXA’s acquisition of Conexio is more than a business deal — it’s an infrastructural statement. It reflects a broader trend: the consolidation of regional networks into continental-scale digital backbones capable of supporting Europe’s data economy, cloud infrastructure, and future AI workloads.

Conclusion: The Balkans Just Became a Lot More Connected

With this acquisition, EXA Infrastructure isn’t just buying ducts and cables — it’s reinforcing Europe’s digital artery through one of its most strategically located regions. Compared with peers focusing on Western Europe or urban hubs, EXA’s Balkan-first approach looks smart, timely, and forward-thinking.

As cloud adoption surges, low-latency connectivity becomes non-negotiable, and digital infrastructure takes center stage in Europe’s competitiveness. EXA is clearly positioning itself not just as a network operator but as a catalyst for the continent’s digital resilience.

And if the recent trend of mergers, refinancings, and expansions continues, the Balkans may soon evolve from a peripheral data corridor into one of Europe’s most vital connectivity crossroads — with EXA leading the charge.