Equinix plans to build its third data center in Perth.

Named PE3, the facility will be the company’s 18th data center in Australia.

Nesting in Oz

At $54m, the first phase of PE3 is targeted to open in Q4 2021. PE3 will be connected to Equinix’s portfolio providing access to more than 1,045 companies, including 215 networks and 395 cloud providers.

According to Equinix, Perth is a strategic part of Australia’s Internet infrastructure due to its proximity to Southeast Asia and direct connectivity via two submarine cable links- the Australia Singapore Cable (ASC) and Indigo Cable. Both cables terminate directly inside the Equinix Perth campus. A third submarine cable is being built connecting Australia to Oman; where Equinix also launched a data center last month.

The first phase of the Perth facility will offer an initial capacity of 650 cabinets and colocation space of more than 1,830 sq m (19,700 square feet). Once finished, the facility will have 1,650 cabinets and cover more than 10,600 sq m (114,200sq ft).

“We’re thrilled to continue an exciting growth period for Equinix with the planned addition of the PE3 IBX in Perth," said Guy Danskine, MD of Equinix Australia.

"Since entering West Australia almost three years ago, we’ve seen substantial growth driven by the state’s digital economy... The interconnection options available in PE3 will support our customers during their digital transformation journeys as they move their businesses closer to the edge and look to expand within Asia-Pacific and beyond.”