SMOP: Carinthia gains independent digital infrastructure as BIK launches ALPSiX powered by Smartoptics and Arista

Oslo, Norway - September 18, 2026 - Smartoptics, a leading provider of optical
networking solutions, today announced that BIK Breitbandinitiative Kärnten GmbH
has launched ALPSiX, a new digital infrastructure hub for Carinthia, Austria.
The turnkey network is delivered by Inter.link and EdgeOps using Smartoptics
optical and Arista packet technology. The network design is cost-efficient,
compact and easy to use, supporting the long-term digital competitiveness of
Carinthian businesses.

BIK is Carinthia's state-owned broadband company, responsible for extending
fiber and connectivity across the Austrian region. ALPSiX is Carinthia's first
Internet Exchange Point, owned by BIK and operated by global internet exchange
operator DE-CIX. The hub's network maximizes fiber utilization with 4x100G-to
-400G aggregation using cost-efficient Smartoptics muxponders and minimizes
operational overhead with Arista switches chosen for software quality. ALPSiX is
designed to scale from two initial points of presence today into a resilient,
European-standard interconnection hub.

"Today, all Carinthian internet traffic routes through Vienna and Frankfurt -
that's lost revenue and lost opportunity for local tech companies. ALPSiX, built
by proven, battle-tested European partners, not experiments, changes the
equation: local peering means lower costs for ISPs, attractive conditions for
data centers, and real jobs for digital talent in Carinthia," says Peter Schark,
CEO, BIK.

Inter.link delivers the network as general contractor and EdgeOps operates the
DWDM layer. The ring connects Klagenfurt and Villach across a 33-kilometer
northern segment and a 103-kilometer southern segment using Raman amplification.
Smartoptics ROADMs allow BIK to add new points of presence along the ring as
usage grows. Inter.link uses Arista's 7280 DCS platform for its European 400G
network, enabling instant provisioning of Network-as-a-Service products. With
two Inter.link points of presence in Klagenfurt and Villach, connected via the
Smartoptics DWDM platform, BIK will offer services such as IP Transit, Layer 2
Connectivity, Cloud Connects, and DDoS Protection.

The SoSmart network management suite gives EdgeOps a single, intuitive view for
provisioning wavelengths on the ring. It also turns OTDR transceiver data into a
map that shows exactly where to send a repair crew when fiber breaks.

"Across Europe, more regions are choosing to build and control their own digital
infrastructure instead of relying on distant hubs. Open optical networking is a
strong enabler for that shift - no vendor lock-in, no waiting on one supplier's
roadmap. ALPSiX is a shining example of how digital sovereignty can stimulate
regional business and connectivity, and we're proud to work with BIK, Arista,
Inter.link and EdgeOps in building it," says Magnus Grenfeldt, CEO, Smartoptics.

For more information please contact:
Magnus Grenfeldt
CEO
Smartoptics
+46 73-366 88 77
E-mail: magnus.grenfeldt@smartoptics.com

About Smartoptics
Smartoptics provides innovative optical networking solutions and devices for the
new era of open networking. Our customer base includes thousands of enterprises,
governments, cloud providers, Internet exchanges as well as cable and telecom
operators. We have an open networking approach in everything we do which allows
our customers to break unwanted vendor lock-in, remain flexible and minimize
costs. Our solutions are used in metro and regional network applications that
increasingly rely on data center services and specifications. Smartoptics is a
Scandinavian company founded in 2006. We partner with leading technology and
network solution providers such as Brocade, Cisco and Dell and have a global
reach through more than 100 business partners.
For additional information about Smartoptics, please visit
https://www.smartoptics.com/

About BIK
As a wholly owned subsidiary of the state, BIK builds for the people of
Carinthia. What began as a visionary initiative is now the infrastructure for
the future. Stable, fast, and reliable internet connections throughout both
urban and rural areas form an essential foundation for a strong and competitive
business location. BIK's mission is to bring digital infrastructure to rural
areas so that equal opportunities can be ensured regardless of needs, time, or
location.
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