Equinix’s US$40mil dual metro data centers propel Malaysia's digital economy ambitions

• Network- and cloud-dense digital infrastructure access to global ecosystems
• US$40m investment helps M’sia tech-up rapidly into digitally vibrant nation

Equinix, Inc has opened two International Business Exchange™ (IBX^®) data centers in Johor (JH1) and Kuala Lumpur (KL1). According to the digital infrastructure company, these carrier-neutral facilities establish a robust digital infrastructure in Malaysia to support its digital economy ambition.

As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation and cutting-edge technology like AI, their need for a network-dense, cloud adjacent and on-demand digital infrastructure becomes paramount.

Platform Equinix^® plays a pivotal role as a facilitator of innovation, economic growth and empowerment for businesses to flourish in Malaysia, hosting more than 2,000 networks and 3,000 cloud & IT companies, and partnering with global technology leaders. Notably, content, fintech, gaming and AI companies have already chosen to deploy their IT infrastructure on Platform Equinix in Malaysia. In addition, TIME, Maxis and other leading global and local network service providers have already joined Equinix's network ecosystem in Malaysia to provide a highly interconnected and secure environment for customers on Platform Equinix.

Jeremy Deutsch (pic), President, Asia-Pacific, Equinix, said, “Malaysia is a cornerstone market and top destination that is highly sought after by our valuable customers. Our unwavering dedication to the Southeast Asia region underscores our belief in its immense potential to drive digital transformation and accommodate a growing digital-savvy population.”

Equinix's entry in Malaysia also aligns with the MyDIGITAL initiative introduced by the Malaysian Government in 2021 that strives to outline a strategy for the nation to expedite the development of digital products and services.

Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), said, “Equinix's decision to expand its presence here reflects its continued confidence in Malaysia’s industrial landscape, which is undergoing key transformative initiatives as outlined in the New Industrial Masterplan (NIMP) 2030. One of NIMP’s missions is for Malaysia to tech-up rapidly to make us a digitally vibrant nation, and Equinix’s new data centers in Kuala Lumpur and Johor will support this mission by enhancing Malaysia’s digital infrastructure. Most importantly, Equinix's investment will pave the way for the creation of high-value job opportunities and propel economic growth, empowering our people and businesses to excel in the digital age.”

Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said, “This venture further underscores our commitment to fostering an investor-friendly business environment. Equinix's advanced data centers will create significant opportunities for businesses especially local enterprises to innovate and grow as they integrate with the global ecosystem.”

Key Facts

• The two-story JH1 facility is situated at Nusajaya Tech Park (NTP) in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Strategically located 15 kilometers away from Singapore, this data center will address heightened demand from both local enterprises and organizations based in neighboring regions.
• With an initial investment of US$40 million, JH1 provides up to 500 cabinets and 1,800 square meters of colocation space to bolster the nation’s digital growth.
• The KL1 facility, located in Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur, a key part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia, is expected to provide a total of 900 cabinets and colocation space of 2,630 square meters, once fully built out.
• Equinix data centers in Malaysia are 100% covered by renewables. Equinix is on track to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, with a strong focus on incorporating clean renewable energy sources throughout its worldwide operations. This initiative extends to all facilities, whether newly constructed or recently incorporated into the company’s portfolio. In 2023, Equinix achieved 96% Renewable Energy coverage across its global operations.
• Both JH1 and KL1 will be operated efficiently with the globally accepted boundaries of the A1A standards from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). This will contribute to the overall efficiency of the data centers, measured by Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), and could help customers reduce their Scope 3 carbon emissions to meet their overall climate targets.
• Equinix will provide robust interconnection and digital services at JH1 and KL1, including Equinix Internet Access in both locations in Q2 2024; Equinix Fabric^® and Equinix Fabric Cloud Router in JH1 in Q2 2024 and KL1 in Q3 2024; and Equinix Internet Exchange^® (IX) soon after. These services enable seamless connectivity, enhanced scalability, optimized performance and increased flexibility to empower businesses to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.