Equinix has been quietly expanding its footprint in Zurich, Switzerland, building out the first phase of its fifth data center in the financial services hub - the ZH5 International Business Exchange.

Phase one caters for 420 cabinet equivalents in 11,200 sq ft but is only a fraction of the 71,800 sq ft secured for the full data center development, which will hold 2,600 cabinets once complete.

The data center, which uses 100% certified green power provided by utility EWZ, is connected to Equinix’s other Zurich facilities – ZH1, ZH2 and ZH4 through dark fiber which runs in a 10km ring between between the facilities.

Equinix said the new facility provides connectivity to 90 network service providers as well as the SIX Swiss Exchange, Swiss Stock Exchange and the Equinix Internet Exchange and Swiss IX.

Equinix already provides more data center space than any other provider in Switzerland but Equinix Switzerland Marco Dottarellli said demand for network, cloud, content, enterprise and financial services firms – which have a need for low latency connectivity - is high in the country.

“With two of the largest internet exchanges in Switzerland at their disposal, customers will have immediate access to leading levels of network density and ecosystems, which will enable them to reduce costs, benefit from enhanced performance and add value to their business.”

Equinix said it is aiming to achieve a Gold LEED certification for this facility, which has already received ISO9001 accreditation.