Belnet expands Private Cloud Connect with direct connection to Azure Belgium Central

It now also provides a direct METRO connection to Azure Belgium Central (ABC), the Belgian cloud region launched by Microsoft in autumn 2025. This region consists of three physically separate data centers in the Brussels area and represents an important step in anchoring cloud infrastructure more firmly in Belgium.

With this new connection, Belnet quite literally brings the Microsoft cloud closer to your organization—translating into several concrete benefits.
 

• Local and secure data storage
  Your data remains within Belgium and is governed by Belgian legislation. Thanks to the direct connection between your organization and the Microsoft cloud, the risk of data interception is significantly reduced. 
• Faster performance and optimal user experience
  The physical proximity of the cloud infrastructure ensures lower latency, guaranteed bandwidth, and faster access to applications. This results in a smooth user experience and supports the daily operations and productivity of your staff. 
• Reliable and redundant connectivity
  Belnet delivers these METRO connections via the data centers of LCL Diegem and Digital Realty Zaventem. As Belnet operates its own node in both locations, connectivity to Microsoft runs over fully redundant local links. This guarantees high availability and a robust service. 
• Direct access to cloud and AI services
  Through this new connection, you gain direct access from Belgium to Microsoft’s extensive portfolio of cloud and AI solutions. This makes it easier to develop and integrate innovative applications within your organization.

In addition to this new direct connection, Belnet continues to offer the standard Cloud Connect solution via GÉANT. This solution uses data centers in other European countries and provides connectivity to Microsoft and Oracle via hubs in Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Because this setup consists of multiple links—partly managed by third parties and sometimes routed through several countries—it is more complex to guarantee the same SLA across the entire chain. Moreover, GÉANT acts as an intermediary between Belnet and the cloud provider.

With the direct METRO connection to Azure Belgium Central, you are choosing a future-proof solution focused on local anchoring, high performance, and maximum reliability.