Creating Value Through Interconnection

Founded in 1998, Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company ™ that operates more than 245 data centres around the world. It currently helps more than 10,000 organizations connect to the right places, partners and opportunities to scale with agility, launch digital services at speed and add value through world-class experiences and sustainability.

Since establishing its Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong in 2002, Equinix has built five data centres in the city. It provides cloud on-ramp accessibility to six major cloud service providers and supports more than 540 companies through providing distributed global infrastructure that enables the shift to hybrid multi-cloud and interconnection with ecosystem partners in more than 70 metros worldwide. 

Thriving Ecosystem

“Hong Kong’s digital landscape is recognised globally as one of the best in the world,” Joanna Hon, Managing Director, Equinix Hong Kong, says. 

This is important because organisations with the ability to connect to vibrant network, cloud and partner ecosystems are better able to support business growth and seasonality in demand. Indeed, the Global Interconnection Index (GXI) 2023, announced by Equinix, revealed that ecosystem density is now a major catalyst for growth. The most ecosystem-connected businesses have grown their digital infrastructure more in the last five quarters than in the past five years. As a city committed to its digital agenda, Hong Kong is an ideal location for business expansion. 

“Thanks to the city’s comprehensive IT infrastructure and unique international position, many big tech companies choose to grow their Asia Pacific presence from Hong Kong. As a result, demand for data centre and interconnection services continues to accelerate,” Joanne explains.

Accelerating digitalization 

Joanna highlights Hong Kong’s strengths in productivity, market sophistication and research development, especially in artificial intelligence and healthcare, alongside government support.

“Over the years, Hong Kong has rolled out numerous initiatives that boost digital transformation and smart city innovation with a deep understanding that data centre services are the backbone of a digital economy,” he says. 

Hong Kong’s interconnection bandwidth is expected to grow at a 39% compound annual growth rate, according to GXI 2023, as a result of the city’s thriving and diverse business ecosystems. Corporations and start-ups from around the world looking to expand into Mainland China, or vice versa, will be able to leverage Hong Kong’s ecosystems and infrastructure for efficient cross-border and global connectivity.

This growing digitalisation will also help accelerate the shift to sustainability. Supporting the goals of its customers, Equinix has achieved 100% renewable energy coverage in Hong Kong since 2020 and continues to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities. Adding a high-tech coating to cooling coils in 2022 reduced overall energy consumption by 10%-30% and peak energy by 10%-50%. 

“Equinix is confident that Hong Kong will remain a key city leading digital innovation in the region,” Joanne concludes.