Equinix, Inc, the global digital infrastructure company, has opened two International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers in Johor (JH1) and Kuala Lumpur (KL1) of Malaysia.
Equinix said in a statement on Monday that these carrier-neutral facilities establish a robust digital infrastructure in Malaysia to support its digital economy ambition, particularly as a regional digital hub.
It noted that Malaysia-based businesses will gain access to a global ecosystem of over 10,000 enterprises, networks and cloud service providers, while global businesses can seize the digital opportunities presented by the nation.
As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation and cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence (AI), Equinix opined that their need for a network-dense, cloud adjacent and on-demand digital infrastructure becomes paramount.
It said that Platform Equinix played 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 and information technology (IT) companies, and partnering with global technology leaders.
Notably, it noted content, fintech, gaming and AI companies have already chosen to deploy their IT infrastructure on Platform Equinix in Malaysia.
In addition, it said 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.
“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,” said Jeremy Deutsch, President, Asia-Pacific, Equinix.
“We are dedicated to delivering exceptional digital infrastructure solutions that empower businesses to thrive in this dynamic landscape, fueling innovation, economic growth and societal advancement,” he added.
It is noted that Equinix’s entry in Malaysia also aligns with the MyDIGITAL initiative introduced by the Malaysian government that strives to outline a strategy for the nation to expedite the development of digital products and services.
“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,” said Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
According to him, these data centers will provide businesses, particularly domestic SMEs, with seamless connectivity and access to a vast global network, while driving innovation across diverse sectors in Malaysia.
“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,” he added.
According to the statement, 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 $40 million, JH1 provides up to 500 cabinets and 1,800 square meters of colocation space to bolster the nation’s digital growth.
Meanwhile, the KL1 facility, located in Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur, a key part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia.
The data center is expected to provide a total of 900 cabinets and colocation space of 2,630 square meters, once fully built out.
It is noted that Equinix data centers in Malaysia are 100 percent covered by renewables.
Equinix said the firm 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 percent renewable energy coverage across its global operations.
According to the statement, 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 also provide robust interconnection and digital services at JH1 and KL1, including Equinix Internet Access in both locations in the second quarter; Equinix Fabric and Equinix Fabric Cloud Router in JH1 in the second quarter and KL1 in the third quarter; 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.
“We firmly believe that the opening of JH1 and KL1 data centers signals a new era of digital connectivity and innovation in Malaysia,” said Cheam Tat Inn, Managing Director, Equinix Malaysia.
“These IBX data centers serve as the cornerstone for driving business agility, fostering collaboration and fueling economic prosperity,
“By providing businesses with unparalleled access to global networks and cutting-edge technology, Equinix is poised to revolutionize the digital landscape and propel Malaysia into the forefront of the global digital economy,” he added.