Equinix, the global leader in digital infrastructure solutions, has unveiled plans to invest $42 million in its latest International Business Exchange (IBX) data center in Mumbai. The facility, named MB4, aims to bolster digital capabilities for both local and international businesses, serving as a catalyst for India’s ongoing digital transformation.
The Indian data center sector has witnessed exponential growth, with a remarkable 637 MW of capacity recorded as of H1 2022, and projections indicating a staggering increase to 1,318 MW by 2024. Against this backdrop, Equinix is primed to meet the escalating demand for data center and interconnection services, as per findings from the Equinix Global Tech Trends Survey 2023. Notably, 85 percent of surveyed IT leaders in India expressed intentions to escalate spending on interconnection within the upcoming year.
MB4 is poised to play a pivotal role in accommodating this burgeoning demand. Anticipated for launch in Q4 2023, subject to regulatory approvals, the data center’s initial phase will introduce 350 cabinets, providing a robust foundation for digital expansion. Its strategic location will allow seamless connectivity with major telco networks, facilitated by the Metro Connect® availability extending to Equinix’s existing data center sites, MB1 and MB2.
Manoj Paul, Managing Director of Equinix India, said: “The availability of MB4, expected in Q4 2023, will allow us to continue serving our customers’ needs in India, enabling them to leverage our interconnection platform for efficient connectivity to multiple cloud service providers, network service providers, and other businesses.”
The growth trajectory of Equinix is exemplified by its vast network of 250 data centers across 71 global metros, catering to over 10,000 renowned businesses. Presently, Equinix maintains a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, operating 52 data centers across key hubs such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. Moreover, the company’s strategic expansion strategy extends to Malaysia and Indonesia, aligning with the burgeoning demand for digital infrastructure in emerging markets.
This significant announcement follows Equinix’s pre-established foothold in Mumbai, where the company operates two IBX data centers – MB1 and MB2. These facilities house the digital infrastructure of more than 300 domestic and international enterprises, offering direct access to major cloud service providers including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud.
In addition to hosting global networks and content delivery network providers, Equinix’s data centers also foster collaboration among over 165 internet service providers (ISPs) and five internet exchanges, all accessible through the Platform Equinix interface.
As part of its ongoing commitment to expansion, Equinix unveiled plans in March 2022 to enter the Chennai market, securing a land acquisition spanning over 5.5 acres. Subsequently, in June 2022, Equinix announced a substantial investment exceeding $86 million to establish its third data center in Mumbai, christened MB3. This string of strategic investments underscores Equinix’s dedication to propelling India’s digital evolution while solidifying its global leadership in digital infrastructure solutions.
