Managing network connections across multiple cloud providers and on-premises environments has long been a headache for IT teams. With the general availability of AWS Interconnect, Amazon Web Services introduces a managed solution to streamline both multicloud and last-mile connectivity. Below, we break down the ten most important things you need to know about this service, from its core capabilities to its security features and future roadmap.

1. The Multicloud Challenge That AWS Interconnect Solves

Large enterprises today often run workloads across multiple cloud providers to leverage specialized services, meet data residency rules, or support teams on different platforms. Historically, connecting these environments meant managing complex VPN tunnels, coordinating with colocation facilities, and configuring third-party network fabrics—all of which consumed valuable engineering time. AWS Interconnect eliminates this undifferentiated heavy lifting by offering a fully managed, private connectivity service that directly links your Amazon VPC to VPCs on other cloud providers.

2. Two Core Capabilities: Multicloud and Last-Mile

As announced, AWS Interconnect comes with two distinct capabilities: multicloud connectivity (between AWS and other public clouds) and last-mile connectivity (between AWS and your on-premises locations). Both are built on the same principle—a turnkey, managed experience that removes infrastructure complexity. Whether you need to connect branch offices or data centers, or bridge AWS with Google Cloud or Azure, Interconnect provides a consistent, private path.

3. Private Layer 3 Connections to Other Clouds

The multicloud capability delivers a private, managed Layer 3 connection between your AWS environment and other cloud providers. Initially, support includes Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) arriving later in 2026. Traffic flows entirely over the AWS global backbone and the partner cloud’s private network—never traversing the public internet. This ensures predictable latency, consistent throughput, and isolation from internet congestion, all without you managing physical infrastructure.

4. Last-Mile Connectivity for Branch Offices and Data Centers

The newly introduced AWS Interconnect – last mile simplifies how you establish high-speed, private connections to AWS from your branch offices, data centers, and remote locations. Instead of dealing with multiple carrier contracts and hardware, you can use your existing network providers to create dedicated bandwidth links directly into AWS. This capability reduces the friction of last-mile provisioning and ensures reliable, low-latency access for hybrid workloads.

5. Simple Setup via the AWS Console

One of the standout features of AWS Interconnect is its ease of deployment. Through the AWS Management Console, you can configure resilient, end-to-end connectivity in just a few clicks. Simply select your location, partner or cloud provider, preferred AWS Region, and bandwidth requirements. The service automatically discovers available partners and handles the underlying network configurations, removing the complexity of manual setup and reducing time to production.

6. Inherent Security with MACsec Encryption

Security is built into every connection by default. AWS Interconnect uses IEEE 802.1AE MACsec encryption on the physical links between AWS routers and partner cloud provider routers at interconnection facilities. This encryption is automatically applied—you don’t need to configure it separately. However, note that each cloud provider manages encryption independently on its own backbone, so it’s important to review the specific encryption documentation for your deployment to ensure it meets your compliance requirements.

7. Predictable Performance Without the Public Internet

Because traffic never transits the public internet, AWS Interconnect delivers predictable latency and consistent throughput for your multicloud and hybrid connections. This is critical for latency-sensitive applications such as real-time analytics, video streaming, or distributed databases. The dedicated bandwidth ensures that performance is not impacted by internet congestion or third-party network fluctuations, giving you reliable service-level agreements for your critical workloads.

8. Eliminating the Need for Third-Party Network Fabrics

Previously, connecting multiple clouds often required engaging with colocation facilities or building complex third-party network fabrics. With AWS Interconnect, you no longer need to negotiate contracts with multiple interconnect providers or manage cross-connects. The service abstracts away those physical layer complexities, allowing your networking team to focus on higher-value tasks—like optimizing application performance—rather than on undifferentiated heavy lifting.

9. Roadmap: OCI Support Coming in 2026

While today’s launch supports Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, AWS has already announced plans to extend multicloud connectivity to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) by later in 2026. This expansion will address the needs of enterprises that run Oracle databases or other OCI-specific services alongside AWS workloads. As the multicloud ecosystem grows, AWS Interconnect is positioned to become a central hub for private cloud-to-cloud connections.

10. The Bottom Line for Enterprise Networking Teams

AWS Interconnect fundamentally changes how organizations approach hybrid and multicloud networking. By providing a managed, private, and secure connectivity service with both multicloud and last-mile options, AWS removes the historical friction of VPNs, colocation, and manual configuration. For IT leaders, this means faster deployment times, reduced operational overhead, and a more predictable network performance. Start exploring the capabilities today to see how they can simplify your own multi-environment strategy.

In summary, AWS Interconnect marks a significant step forward in cloud networking. Whether you’re connecting multiple public clouds or bridging on-premises sites, the service offers a streamlined approach that prioritizes security, performance, and ease of use. Keep an eye on future provider additions—like OCI—as the platform continues to evolve. If you’re looking to reduce complexity in your network architecture, this is a solution worth evaluating.