Before we dive into the heavyweights leading worldwide data center innovation, let‘s get a quick understanding of what data centers are and why they are crucial infrastructure powering today‘s digital economy.
What is a Data Center?
A data center essentially houses critical IT infrastructure like servers, storage, networking gear and power/cooling systems – all components needed to store and process data. Based on type of services offered, main data center types include:
- Colocation – Renting rack/cage space for enterprises to install own infrastructure
- Cloud – Shared pools of on-demand compute/storage resources
- Enterprise – On-premise facilities supporting internal workloads
- Edge – Smaller distributed sites close to user traffic sources
Why are Data Centers Important?
Data centers support vital technology backbone enabling:
- Websites – Facilities maintain thousands of servers hosting fast content delivery
- Cloud Services – AWS, Azure depend on a worldwide network of data centers
- Critical Enterprise Systems – Crucial data backup, disaster recovery for business continuity
- Research – High performance computing capabilities for scientific workloads
- Emerging Technologies – 5G, IoT, AI etc. require reliable back-end infrastructure
Per IDC forecasts, the global data center market will reach almost $300 billion by 2025. With data generation exploding, data centers must scale sustainably to meet demand. This brings us to the leading operators pushing boundaries of innovation.
Top 10 Largest Data Center Companies Worldwide
Let‘s analyze the capabilities of top data center companies managing critical infrastructure supporting the digital economy:
1. Equinix
Founded as a colocation startup in Redwood City, California, Equinix now operates over 240 data centers interconnecting enterprises globally. With 2021 annual revenues of $6.64 billion and around 10,000 customers, Equinix is the undisputed market leader.
The company‘s pioneering interconnected IBX data centers across 63 major markets create dense ecosystems for enterprises to directly connect with partners and cloud service providers. True carrier-neutrality ensures access to 1000+ different networks including fiber from top telecom providers like AT&T and Verizon.
Equinix data centers optimize capacity for high-demand workloads leveraging innovative cooling techniques like hot aisle containment. The company is investing heavily in sustainability with long-term renewable energy targets of 100% across global facilities.
As digital transformation accelerates across industries, Equinix continues relentlessly innovating to stay ahead.
2. Digital Realty
Founded as a REIT in San Francisco backing data center infrastructure growth in 2004, Digital Realty now carries an enterprise value approaching $50 billion. The data center giant operates over 290 facilities globally serving 4000+ customers.
With 2021 annual revenues of $4.7 billion and additional capacity from mergers like Interxion and Ascenty, Digital Realty runs highly secure Tier III data centers managing critical IT infrastructure for the world‘s top technology giants.
The company focuses on hyperscale and high-density deployments up to 50kW per cabinet densities matched by robust power infrastructure. Per latest sustainability report, Digital Realty has committed to 100% renewable energy for all data center electricity needs by 2030.
Digital Realty also stands out with their Service Fabric platform enabling centralized visibility and management across colocation footprints along with interconnected cloud environments – critical for managing hybrid infrastructure.
3. NTT Communications
While not a familiar brand in consumer domains, NTT Communications is a global technology services giant and one of the biggest data center operators worldwide through owner NTT Group – a Fortune 500 telecom leader. Valued around $100 billion, NTT Group carries revenues exceeding Japan‘s entire IT industry!
NTT Communications itself posted revenues over $7.4 billion in 2021 serving 4000+ enterprises via data centers spread across 20+ countries in prime locations. The company‘s expertise lies in managed hybrid IT infrastructure, application hosting and multi-cloud connectivity.
Uniquely positioned carrier-neutral facilities across EMEA, Americas and APAC provide wholesale colocation, managed services, hardware maintenance and network connectivity options. NTT also owns cutting-edge Tier IV-ready data centers like Tokyo No. 10 delivering flawless reliability.
4. China Telecom
While geostrategic turbulence remains an overhang, China Telecom owns around 456 data centers within China powering one of the world‘s largest digital economies. Despite regulatory setbacks limiting US stock exchange presence, the company posted 2021 revenues of $55.3 billion riding on expansive domestic network reach.
The Chinese telecom giant operates over 50% of China‘s commercial data center capacity spread across Tier 1 markets like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Services range from colocation, cloud hosting, managed infrastructure to VPN access tailormade for global China-based businesses.
China Telecom facilitates low-latency connectivity into mainland China with dedicated access solutions like ChinaNet Cloud Express accelerating cross-border interconnection. The company manages dedicated lines provisioning reliable 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps capacity for mission-critical workloads.
5. Cyxtera Technologies
Founded in 2017 as a spinout from CenturyLink‘s IT infrastructure division, Cyxtera Technologies operates around 60 data centers focused on secure, reliable colocation services worldwide. Annual revenues crossed $703 million in 2021 through 3000+ customers.
Cyxtera operates across most major US metros with international presence in Canada, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. The company‘s CXD on-demand colocation platform combined with Data Center Interconnect (DCI) provides access to networked edge data center capacity with flexible scaling.
Managed services leverage integrated security operations defending against over 100 million threats annually. Cyxtera also provides staff augmentation options for data center monitoring, maintenance and capacity planning reflecting hybrid infrastructure management expertise.
6. Amazon Web Services
Driving cloud innovation for over 15 years now, Amazon Web Services operates the world‘s largest cloud computing infrastructure serving millions of customers ranging from enterprises like GE, Airbnb to government agencies and startups worldwide.
AWS accounts for over 30% of global cloud infrastructure spend far ahead of Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. The runaway success has translated into 2021 revenues topping $62 billion – significantly ahead of worldwide data center leaders like Equinix.
AWS manages 84 Availability Zones with plans to launch 24 more soon. Each AZ runs multiple discrete data centers with redundant power, networking and connectivity. Such extensive capacity powers über fast content delivery meeting surging demand – Netflix leverages AWS to reliably stream shows worldwide.
While public cloud remains core strength, AWS Outposts bring native hardware/software capabilities on-premises for hybrid environments. Unparalleled pace of innovation with over 200 new services annually widens customer edge.
7. ST Telemedia Global Data Centres
Lesser known outside Asia, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres owns one of the fastest-growing networks of large-scale data centers across China, India, Thailand and Singapore. Fueled by rising digital economy demand in Asia-Pacific, ST Telemedia carries an enterprise value over $5 billion.
ST Telemedia runs industrial scale facilities tailored for hyperscale clouds and high-density colocation needs. Flagship data centers include 170,000 sqm Loyang campus in Singapore offering 100MW capacity alongside Mumbai‘s 450,000 sqm Panvel site – one of Asia‘s largest buildings!
The company posted annual revenues over $300 million in 2021 through 500+ customers including multiple local arms of AWS and Microsoft Azure. ST Telemedia operates over 140 globally compliant data centers meeting stringent security and compliance needs for international organizations.
8. Africa Data Centres
While most companies focus on mature North American or APAC markets, Africa Data Centres operates industry-leading carrier neutral data centers across Africa addressing fast growing demand. With double digit YoY revenue growth touching $200 million annually, the company runs interconnected facilities in South Africa‘s Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Services range from premium colocation, managed hybrid cloud, network interconnection to remote monitoring for 300+ enterprises. Africa Data Centres maintains 100% uptime SLA with robust utility connectivity and generator backup at both sites guaranteeing business continuity.
The company continues expanding rapidly to address underserved African markets adding 50MW capacity in Midrand near Johannesburg. Uniquely positioned to enable cloud adoption and emerging technologies across the continent.
9. Global Switch
Headquartered in London with regional headquarters in Singapore, Global Switch operates 46 data centers across Europe and Asia-Pacific managing critical loads for 700+ customers. The company carries an estimated valuation over $10 billion.
With annual revenues exceeding $220 million, Global Switch offers secure, customizable colocation deployments ranging from single rack installations to dedicated data halls. The company owns over 2.6 million sqft of gross space housing 10000+ racks globally.
Ultra-low latency connectivity rich data center campuses in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hong Kong etc. attract leading financial institutions. Uniquely structured as a European Private Real Estate company, Global Switch has delivered 99.999% uptime for 20+ years offering robust reliability.
10. GDS Holdings
One of the largest China-based data center operators, GDS Holdings owns and operates 60+ carrier-neutral facilities across Tier 1 cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu. Publicly listed on NASDAQ, GDS carries a market cap over $10 billion.
GDS focuses on high-density, flexible wholesale colocation deployments with scalable capacity, connectivity and managed services for 3000+ customers. The company‘s facilities power critical workloads supporting leading Chinese cloud players like Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud.
With 100% nationwide coverage in China alone, GDS continues expanding into new markets across APAC including Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. The company posted 2021 revenues over $150 million likely doubling by 2025 as demand for high-performance computing accelerates.
Comparing Top Data Center Provider Capabilities
While individual business models may differ, critical factors separating leading data center operators worldwide include:
Global Footprint – Number of facilities across key regions influencing ability to support distributed applications and multi-site hybrid cloud. Equinix and Digital Realty lead here with hundreds of metros covered.
Connectivity Choice – Carrier-neutral data centers attract enterprises needing flexibility in choice of network providers, fiber routes and access to internet exchange points enabling global data routing.
Innovation – Continuous enhancement of existing services and new capabilities matching demands of emerging workloads related to IoT, AI etc.
Reliability & Uptime – Share of Tier III/IV facilities with advanced cooling, redundant power paths and ability to maintain close to 100% uptime. Lesser players drop the ball here.
Sustainability – Renewable energy adoption, carbon-neutral goals, water conservation efforts and managing wider climate impact with comprehensive reporting.
Managed Services – Complete outsourced maintenance support, 24/7 remote hands teams, hardware lifecycle management and security services facilitate hybrid cloud management.
Key Trends Shaping the Data Center Industry
Based on latest analysis and tracking global data center infrastructure development, following key trends influence roadmaps:
- Growing enterprise preference for colocation and interconnection services
- Surge in infrastructure buildouts supporting 5G densification, cloud gaming and immersive technologies
- Mainstream adoption of advanced cooling techniques using outside air and AI optimization
- Industry commitment towards zero water usage, record renewable power procurement and energy storage
- Investment focus expanding beyond core colocation to cross-industry ecosystems, distributed edge capacity
As global datasphere expands from 59 Zettabytes in 2020 to 175 ZB by 2025 per IDC, data centers must innovate to prepare for 5G and analytics-driven workloads at scale. Market leaders continue expanding worldwide presence targeting underserved markets across Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia.
Future Outlook
Here‘s what readers and data center buyers should expect going forward:
- Leading operators will keep expanding capacity targeting demand across secondary markets and geographies.
- Adoption of advanced power architectures, optimized cooling and AI will drive efficiency for high-density loads.
- As 5G and IoT ecosystem expands, distributed capacity in metro edge locations will accelerate compute closer to user traffic sources.
- Investments in outpost data centers on partner cloud campuses will increase data gravity alignment offering single pane orchestration.
- However, site selection roadblocks like renewable energy supplies, fiber connectivity challenges and local regulations may slow down growth plans in certain regions.
Nonetheless, through relentless innovation and sustainable transformation, global data center heavyweights will continue powering the mission-critical foundations fueling worldwide digital progress.
