Digital Realty Trust, which owns 121 data center properties comprising approximately 22.7 million square feet, plans to build a Global Network Neutral Ecosystem providing direct connections between its tenants.
The idea is to run high count dark fiber between its nearby buildings, enabling "plug and play" GigE as well as straight dark fiber cross-connects to customers, carriers and service providers campus-wide. The rollout will begin with Digital Realty's major campus locations including New York Metro, Boston, Ashburn, Chicago, Dallas, Santa Clara as well as Metro London. Completion of the deployment in the U.S. is expected by the fourth quarter of 2013, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe in the first half of 2014.
"The launch of this important strategy takes our global portfolio to the next level in terms of network connectivity, which is a key factor for customers when selecting a data center provider," said Michael F. Foust, chief executive officer of Digital Realty. "When combined with our scale, expertise and global footprint, this initiative will give customers a one-stop shop for all of their data center needs."
"The important distinction here is that we are not building a network, nor are we becoming a reseller," added Mr. Foust. "The goal of this initiative is to ensure a robust offering of network and carrier products and services in every Digital Realty location, making our portfolio the easiest place for both wholesale and retail colocation customers to locate their data centers."
http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com
