Equinix enhances Japan presence with new Osaka data center

Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) is continuing to make headway with its expansion efforts in Japan, opening up its first data center, OS1, in Osaka along with partners K-Opticom, Kanden Energy Solutions (KENES) and O-BIC.

K-Opticom is one of the largest access providers in the Osaka/Kansai area. O-BIC is an Osaka government agency that supports foreign-owned companies establishing businesses in the region. Along with KENES, the partners provided additional support to Equinix.

The data center provider said that Osaka's central location and economic strength make the city the "ideal second metro to support Equinix's existing Tokyo operations."

In the first phase of OS1, Equinix will offer 320 cabinets, with plans to expand to over 800 in 2014. Multinational telecom company customers will be able to use the center to interconnect with 950 domestic and international carriers via K-Opticom.

Equinix said that customers inside "OS1 will have access to more than 950 domestic and international carriers, establishing Osaka as a global network hub by directly connecting to Dojima, the network core in Osaka."

Japan and Asia Pacific overall are among Equinix's key expansion targets. Besides Osaka, the service provider allocated $43 million to build its fourth International Business Exchange (IBX) data center in Tokyo earlier this year.

Complementing its organic and partnership efforts, Equinix has been actively purchasing other data center providers. It expanded its presence in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore last May when it purchased Asia Tone.

For more:
- see the release

Related articles:
Equinix to spend $43 million on new Tokyo data center
Equinix taps Level 3 alum Strohmeyer to head Americas division
Equinix names Verizon veteran Ihab Tarazi as CTO
Equinix employs BTI's 7000 series to support growth in Singapore