Switch & Data Facilities Begins International Expansion
Switch & Data Facilities Co. (SDFC), operating the United States' first network of strategically located, carrier-neutral, co-location facilities, announced today that it has initiated the international phase of its aggressive international expansion plan, by launching into Europe.
Leases for the new facilities – in Milan, Vienna and Berlin – extend the company's footprint into European markets and add to the nationwide network of 33 domestic co-location sites.
"The demand for secure and reliable carrier-neutral co-location from US Internet and telecommunications providers around the country has been enormous," said Stephen B. Kelly, CEO, Switch and Data Facilities Corp. "It's this demand that made us look at, and want to satisfy, the need for carrier-neutral co-lo facilities in Europe.
Since its inception in 1997, S&DFC has constructed or initiated the development of facilities in virtually every significant market in the United States. S&DFC intends to have 40 domestic co-location facilities operational and an additional 50 leases signed by year-end.
"With the continued and rapid expansion of our domestic facilities network, it is only appropriate that we look at Europe as a logical next step for our business and our customers," added Mr. Kelly. "A European network of facilities will launch Switch and Data Facilities into the enviable position of being able to provide a solution to the inherent problem of sourcing consistently high quality, reliable and secure co-location facilities on both a Pan-American and a Pan-European scale."
About Switch and Data Facilities Co.
S&DFC's international network of carrier-neutral Convergent Network Centers enable Internet and telecommunications companies such as Internet service providers (ISPs), competitive local exchange companies (CLECs), application service providers (ASPs), data storage companies and telcos to quickly and economically enter new markets, as well as offering them the freedom of unencumbered access to the major carriers' networks.
Except for routing and switching equipment, S&DFC's shared infrastructure suites provide everything these companies need. By taking advantage of the high-speed Internet and telephony line connectivity, customers can also use S&DFC's co-location sites for their redundancy and full-scale disaster recovery needs.
S&DFC tenants are able to eliminate capital investments in real estate, power, back-up generators, specialized heating and air conditioning systems, and security, allowing them to focus resources on optimizing their core business. Tenants can connect directly to the carriers of their choice and each other without interference or charges. S&DFC also provides basic technical maintenance services with technicians available around-the-clock to provide reboots and card swaps.
Founded in 1997, Switch & Data Facilities Company is the pioneer of the concept of a national network of carrier-neutral, co-location shared telecommunication infrastructure facilities. S&DFC intends to have 40 domestic co-location facilities operational and an additional 50 leases signed by the end of 2000.