Data from Synergy Research Group shows that Q3 retail colocation revenues in the United States grew 8% from Q3 2012 to reach $1.6 billion. The clear market leader is Equinix whose revenue growth beat the overall market, widening the gap between it and its nearest competitors. CenturyLink-Savvis is ranked number two, followed by a tight grouping of SunGard, AT&T and Verizon. Together with Telx and CyrusOne, these seven operators account for virtually half of the US market.

Unlike most other countries, the scale of the wholesale colocation market in the United States is very significant relative to the retail market, with Q3 wholesale revenues reaching almost $700 million. Digital Realty Trust is the wholesale market leader, followed at a distance by DuPont Fabros.

“The US colocation market is the most mature and well-developed in the world, with revenue levels more than four times the size of its nearest rivals, the United Kingdom and Japan” said John Dinsdale, a Chief Analyst and Research Director at Synergy Research Group. “Looking ahead, the adoption of cloud infrastructure services will act as a damper on some aspects of the colocation market, while stimulating others. We forecast that US colocation revenues will grow by a CAGR of 7% over the next five years.”