HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE
Bluebird Network | February 08, 2023
On February 07. 2023, a communications infrastructure provider and operator of two data centers, Bluebird Network, highlights its successful partnership with the University of Central Missouri. Bluebird Network will provide primary internet services for the campus and the University’s remote sites.
The University of Central Missouri is powered by Bluebird Network’s data centers and digital infrastructure, which will enable bulk storage of the University data, maintain campus connectivity, and provide internet access between all remote sites.
With its forward-thinking approach, Bluebird is known for its excellent customer service and personal touch. The communications infrastructure provider delivers tools and solutions to educational systems at all levels. In addition to its high connectivity and required bandwidth for best education practices in the digital world, Bluebird is empowering education and is identified as the second largest ISP to public schools in the State of Missouri.
About Bluebird Network
Bluebird Network is based in Columbia, Missouri and serves the Midwest with a carrier-class fiber network. Since its year of foundation in 1999, the company has offered fiber networks to businesses, hospitals, schools, and other data-driven organizations, including high-capacity transport, high internet speed and data center solutions. Bluebird performs more than 11,000 fiber route miles of high-speed broadband and fiber-optic connections with more than 82,000 on-net and near-net buildings and 160 Points of Presence (PoP) sites across the Midwest. This includes the major cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield (MO and IL), Tulsa, Peoria, Rockford, Bloomington, Normal, and the Quad Cities
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HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE, APPLICATION STORAGE
prnewswire | March 24, 2023
EdgeConneX®, the pioneer in global Hyperlocal to Hyperscale Data Center Solutions, announces the successful execution of $3.3 billion in innovative sustainability-linked financing, which enables the development of critical digital infrastructure to support customers' global data center requirements. The significant scale of these transactions is also recognized by IJGlobal, a leading market intelligence firm for the energy and infrastructure finance industry, with the Digital Infrastructure Deal of the Year Award 2022 in the data center category.
In October 2022, EdgeConneX, the EQT-owned data center developer, reached financial close of a €2.4 billon sustainability-linked (re)financing EdgeConneX pan-EMEA data center portfolio of operational facilities across seven jurisdictions and provided CapEx facilities to support future developments. This financing is arranged across three tranches – a term loan, a CapEx facility, and a revolving credit facility, providing an optional line of credit if needed. Beyond consolidating EdgeConneX pan-EMEA portfolio, this deal allows it to transition from stand-alone project financing to a structured corporate debt package – thereby unlocking more flexibility and funding capacity to support anticipated growth across the region. In addition, this deal represents Europe's first data center platform financing and is rated as a pathfinder sustainability-linked portfolio financing.
Separately, in June 2022, funds managed by Ares Management's Infrastructure Debt strategy, committed a delayed draw sustainability-linked global debt facility to EdgeConneX. The debt facility commits up to $1 billion and can be used to fund the development and construction of EdgeConneX growing global development pipeline. In addition, the innovative funding regime in Euros and US dollars via a structured corporate debt package unlocks more flexibility and funding capacity to support EdgeConneX anticipated global growth.
Both facilities include sustainability-linked margin adjustments, whereby the interest rate payable is directly correlated to EdgeConneX achieving specific pre-determined sustainability targets. These targets align with EdgeConneX holistic ESG sustainability strategy, which includes a goal of becoming a carbon-, waste- and water-neutral data center provider by 2030 and developing and operating a data center platform powered by 100% renewable energy.
"We are honored by the IJGlobal Award distinction for our innovative financing structures that can be replicated globally," comments Joe Harar, Chief Financial Officer for EdgeConneX. "Sustainability is a necessity, and EdgeConneX has adopted sustainability principles across all aspects of our business. These financings leverage EdgeConneX Green Finance Framework and enable us to execute growth plans by reinforcing our commitment to delivering energy-efficient and innovative sustainable solutions for our customers anywhere in the world."
The greenfield element of these transactions wins EdgeConneX an IJGlobal award in this category in conjunction with the refinancings, which played a significant part in the deal and its reason for winning an award. The IJGlobal Awards took place in London on March 9, 2023, celebrating the best-in-class transactions and organizations across the international infrastructure and energy sectors.
EdgeConneX owns and operates 60+ data centers across 50 unique markets throughout 30 countries. The company's portfolio includes 200+ far edge and EdgePop deployments and 500+MW of capacity deployed and/or in development worldwide. Providing excellence and expertise across all deployment phases, EdgeConneX also specializes in build-to-suit data center facilities for Hyperscalers serving as the backbone of their cloud computing products for consumers globally.
About EdgeConneX
EdgeConneX, backed by EQT Infrastructure, part of the global investment organization EQT, EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable data center solutions worldwide. We work closely with our customers to offer choices in location, scale, and type of facility, from Hyperlocal to Hyperscale. EdgeConneX is a global leader in anytime, anywhere, and any scale data center services for a diverse portfolio of industries, including Content, Cloud, Networks, Gaming, Automotive, SaaS, IoT, HPC, Security, and more. With a mission predicated on taking care of our customers, our people, and our planet, EdgeConneX strives to Empower Your Edge.
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HYPER-CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE, APPLICATION STORAGE
Oxford Quantum Circuits | March 15, 2023
On March 14, 2023, Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), an industry-leading global quantum computing as a service (QCaaS) provider company, and the world's digital infrastructure provider, Equinix, announced that OQC aims make one of the world's most powerful commercially available quantum computers to via Equinix's TY11 Tokyo International Business Exchange data center.
The technology is intended to benefit a wide range of industries, including drug discovery and development, banking, risk management, and advanced manufacturing. Once connected to Equinix Fabric, organizations will have access to quantum computing as if it were on-premises, allowing them to trial and experiment with the innovative technology by connecting directly to QCaaS within their own digital infrastructure with improved security and ease.
Dr. Ilana Wisby, CEO at OQC ltd., stated, "The world has been waiting for quantum computing to mature to the point that it can change our lives. Installing quantum computing in Equinix's world-class TY11 data center brings us a step closer to this reality. Quantum computing represents a major shift in terms of technology and process. Unlike traditional classical computers, quantum computers can crunch vast amounts of data at incredible speeds. We are excited to work with Equinix to help businesses around the world to build their quantum skillset and capabilities. The future is here, and we are setting the pace for the era of quantum computing."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
Arun Dev, Global Head of Digital Interconnection at Equinix, remarked, "Quantum computing has the potential to transform the way businesses solve problems both now and into the future, especially as our customers look for more innovative solutions. As the world's digital infrastructure company, we are proud to enable easier, secure, high-bandwidth access to this pioneering technology to thousands of businesses around the world. Welcoming OQC's quantum computer to our global interconnection ecosystem on Platform Equinix underpins our commitment to supporting innovation. We are looking forward to working together to solve some of the key digital challenges organizations face today."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About Oxford Quantum Circuits
Founded in 2017, Oxford Quantum Circuits is an industry-leading quantum computing company. It makes quantum accessible to their clients, allowing them to conduct ground-breaking research. The company produced the only commercially available quantum computers in the United Kingdom. It introduced the first quantum computing as a service (QCaaS) in the United Kingdom, making quantum technology accessible to businesses.
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