Q9 Networks signed a 15-year data center services agreement with HP subsidiary EDS Advanced Solutions under which it will build a data center in Kamloops, British Columbia.

The deal will support EAS' recently announced $560 million contract with the British Columbia Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services.

The high-availability facility will be built in phases with an ultimate capacity of at least 3.5 megawatts of critical power and cooling capacity.

Q9 will offer space to commercial tenants while EDS Advanced Solutions and the B.C. Government will be anchor tenants.

The Kamloops data centre will include such features as outside air cooling capability to maximize energy efficiency, biometric security systems, multiple connections to the Internet, redundant power, HVAC and fire suppression systems, as well as 7x24 on-site security and technical support teams.

Q9 will also provide EDS Advanced Solutions with capacity in its Calgary data centre, scheduled to open in the second half of 2009.

"We are delighted to be partnering with EDS Advanced Solutions to support the Province's critical computing requirements," said Osama Arafat, Chief Executive Officer, Q9 Networks. "With this agreement, we are significantly adding to our national footprint. In particular, we expect customers in British Columbia and Alberta to leverage the new Kamloops facility as an integral part of their business continuity solutions."