EuNetworks has launched a direct long-haul fiber route connecting Paris and Milan.

The delivery of the route was announced last week by euNetworks, spanning 1,057km (656.7 miles) linking the French capital with the northern Italian city.

According to euNetworks, the route runs on a new, diverse path through the Alps and provides a shorter alternative to the more common routes running along the coast via the French cities of Lyon and Marseille.

The company notes that the route has been developed "to provide customers with the most direct, diverse path between the key connectivity hubs of Paris and Milan," while also creating opportunities for the further shortening and diversifying of interconnecting routes within euNetworks’ existing network.

The route will enable customers utilizing the route to connect seamlessly into euNetworks’ owned and operated metro networks in Paris, which includes 38 on-net data centers, and Milan, which includes 18 on-net data centers. Beyond this, euNetworks connects to more than 600 data centers across Europe.

It follows the completion of a direct route connecting Frankfurt to Milan via Zurich last year.

“The new route between Paris and Milan is a prime example of our dedication to providing customers with the most direct, diverse connectivity options in Europe. As demand for AI, cloud and data-driven connectivity rises, shorter routes and diversity become increasingly crucial," said Marisa Trisolino, CEO of euNetworks.

"Building a diverse route through the Alps takes a lot of persistence and collaboration with an extensive supplier network - euNetworks was proud to take on this challenge to deliver for our customers, and we will continue to expand our network wherever our customers need it the most."