AWS Interconnect: Simplifying Multicloud and Last-Mile Connectivity

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched a new managed connectivity service called AWS Interconnect, now generally available. This service addresses the growing need for enterprises to seamlessly connect their Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) with other cloud providers and their own on-premises networks. With two distinct capabilities—multicloud and last-mile—AWS Interconnect eliminates the traditional complexity of managing VPN tunnels, colocation facilities, and third-party network fabrics. Instead, organizations can set up private, high-speed connections directly from the AWS Management Console in just a few clicks. This means networking teams can focus on building applications rather than wrestling with connectivity challenges. Below, we answer common questions about this new offering.

What is AWS Interconnect and why was it introduced?

AWS Interconnect is a fully managed private connectivity service that links your Amazon VPC directly to VPCs on other cloud providers—and to your branch offices, data centers, and remote locations through existing network providers. It was introduced because large enterprises increasingly run workloads across multiple clouds to use specialized services, comply with data residency requirements, or support teams that have standardized on different providers. Historically, connecting these environments reliably and securely demanded significant coordination, including managing VPN tunnels, working with colocation facilities, and configuring third-party network fabrics. AWS Interconnect removes that heavy lifting by providing a turnkey experience with dedicated bandwidth, predictable latency, and consistent throughput—all without traversing the public internet. This simplifies hybrid and multicloud networking, allowing teams to focus on applications rather than infrastructure.

What are the two main capabilities of AWS Interconnect?

AWS Interconnect comes with two core capabilities: multicloud and last-mile. The multicloud capability establishes a private, managed Layer 3 connection between AWS and other cloud providers such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and (coming later in 2026) Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Traffic flows exclusively over the AWS global backbone and the partner cloud’s private network, bypassing the public internet entirely. The last-mile capability simplifies how you connect your branch offices, data centers, and remote locations to AWS by leveraging your existing network providers. Both capabilities are built on the same principle: a fully managed, turnkey experience that eliminates the need for manual network configuration and physical infrastructure management. You can configure resilient, end-to-end connectivity with just a few clicks in the AWS Console, selecting your location, partner, bandwidth, and preferred Region.

How does AWS Interconnect – multicloud work and what are its benefits?

The multicloud capability creates a private Layer 3 connection between your AWS VPC and VPCs in other cloud environments. It currently supports Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) expected in 2026. All traffic uses the AWS global backbone and the partner cloud’s private network, so data never touches the public internet. This ensures predictable latency, consistent throughput, and isolation from internet congestion—all without you having to manage any physical infrastructure. Security is built in by default: every physical link between AWS routers and the partner cloud provider’s routers is encrypted using IEEE 802.1AE MACsec. (Note: each cloud provider manages encryption independently on its own backbone, so review their documentation for your deployment.) The entire connection can be set up through the AWS Console by choosing your destination cloud provider, Region, and bandwidth requirements.

How does AWS Interconnect – last mile simplify connectivity from on-premises?

The last-mile capability addresses the challenge of connecting branch offices, data centers, and remote locations to AWS using your existing network providers. Instead of managing multiple point-to-point connections or complex VPN configurations, you can use AWS Interconnect to establish a high-speed, private link through the same provider you already rely on. This eliminates the need to engage colocation facilities or set up dedicated physical infrastructure. From the AWS Console, you select your location, existing network partner, desired bandwidth, and target AWS Region. The service then orchestrates the end-to-end connection, handling all underlying complexities. The result is a consistent, low-latency path to AWS that bypasses the public internet, with dedicated bandwidth that your networking team can provision quickly. This is particularly valuable for enterprises with distributed footprints that need reliable, scalable access to cloud resources.

What security features does AWS Interconnect provide?

Security is a foundational element of AWS Interconnect. For both multicloud and last-mile connections, every physical link between AWS routers and the partner’s routers at interconnection facilities is encrypted using IEEE 802.1AE MACsec. This encryption is enabled by default—you do not need to configure it separately, ensuring that data in transit is protected at the physical layer. In the multicloud scenario, encryption is applied on the AWS side and the partner cloud provider manages its own encryption on its backbone independently. AWS recommends reviewing the encryption documentation for your specific deployment to confirm it meets your requirements. Additionally, because traffic never crosses the public internet, you are shielded from internet-based threats and congestion. The service also integrates with standard AWS security practices, such as Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies, to control who can create and manage connections.

How easy is it to set up AWS Interconnect?

Setting up AWS Interconnect is designed to be straightforward and fast. From the AWS Management Console, you simply select your connectivity type (multicloud or last-mile), choose your location, partner (cloud provider or network provider), preferred AWS Region, and bandwidth requirements. The service then automates the provisioning, removing the friction of discovering partners and the complexity of manual network configurations. No need to manage physical cables, negotiate with colocation facilities, or configure VPN tunnels manually. The entire process takes just a few clicks, and you can configure resilient, end-to-end connectivity with dedicated bandwidth. This ease of use means that even networking teams with limited resources can quickly establish secure, high-speed connections to AWS, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks like application optimization and security monitoring.

Which cloud providers are supported for multicloud connectivity?

As of launch, AWS Interconnect – multicloud supports direct private connections to Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Support for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is announced and will become available later in 2026. All three providers will be integrated through the same managed Layer 3 connection model, where traffic flows over the AWS global backbone and the partner cloud’s private network. For each supported provider, you can select the target Region and bandwidth from the AWS Console. The service automatically handles the orchestration of the physical and logical connections at interconnection facilities. AWS continues to evaluate additional cloud providers based on customer demand, so the list may expand over time.

When will Oracle Cloud Infrastructure be supported?

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) support for AWS Interconnect – multicloud is scheduled to become available in late 2026. AWS has announced this as a planned capability, and customers can expect to see OCI as a selectable destination in the AWS Console once it launches. In the meantime, enterprises that need private connectivity to OCI can still use existing options such as VPNs or third-party services, but AWS Interconnect will provide a more integrated, managed experience when it arrives. The OCI integration will follow the same pattern as Google Cloud and Azure: a private Layer 3 connection with MACsec encryption on the physical links, managed entirely through the AWS Console.