Agreement ensures local networks have opportunity to connect in Milwaukee, improving internet speed and reliability
MILWAUKEE, WI — September 15, 2025 —Data Holdings, Milwaukee’s premier data center, today announced a new partnership to serve as the host site for the Milwaukee Internet Exchange (MKEIX), a nonprofit, neutral internet peering exchange established in 2011. The transition brings MKEIX to Data Holding’s secure, high-performance facility, improving connectivity for networks and enterprise across Wisconsin.
As part of the agreement, Data Holdings will provide complimentary power, space and network connections to support MKEIX’s mission of strengthening regional internet infrastructure and keeping Milwaukee better connected to the global Internet.
“MKEIX plays a critical role in creating a more efficient and survivable Internet here in Wisconsin,” said Ryan Brooks, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager at Data Holdings. “By hosting the exchange at our facility, we’re proud to help reduce reliance on out-of-state hubs like Chicago and bring faster, more resilient internet performance directly to businesses and providers. Data Holdings is committed to improving the networking capabilities in Milwaukee and Wisconsin, so we’re waving all cross-connect fees for purposes of connecting to MKEIX.”
MKEIX is a nonprofit, neutral peering hub that enables local internet networks to directly interconnect, improving speed and reliability, while reducing latency and cost. By keeping local traffic within Wisconsin, rather than routing it through hubs in other parts of the country, MKEIX lowers bandwidth costs, enhances performance, and increases uptime for internet service providers, content delivery networks, and enterprise businesses. For local companies, this means faster connections, greater control over network performance and a stronger digital infrastructure to support growth.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Data Holdings for stepping up to support the Milwaukee Internet Exchange and our mission to keep Wisconsin traffic local,” said Andrew Hoyos, Managing Partner of MKEIX. “Their commitment to providing space, power and connectivity at no cost allows us to continue expanding access, improving performance and building a stronger internet infrastructure for the region. This partnership is a win for Milwaukee businesses and organizations and for everyone who depends on faster, more reliable internet.”
Data Holdings is a state-of-the-art, Tier III+ data center owned by Potawatomi Ventures. Purpose-built for high availability, security, and performance, the facility offers colocation, cloud hosting, disaster recovery, and managed services to businesses and public sector organizations throughout the Midwest. With redundant power and cooling, robust physical and cyber security and direct access to multiple network carriers, Data Holdings provides a highly reliable environment for mission-critical IT infrastructure. As a Native-owned business, it is also committed to supporting economic development and digital equity in the region.
