Scott’s Sizzling Summer Guide

From the desk of Scott Roots, Sales Director for EMEA, at DC Byte

Summer is here, and with folks planning their travels abroad, why not mix a bit of business with pleasure by visiting some of the hottest data centre markets around the globe? Pack your sunscreen and your curiosity and come along on this virtual tour, as Scott shares his take on the most vacation worthy and strategic locations that are shaping the future of our digital world.

• • Barcelona: A Blend of Beauty and Connectivity
    Barcelona might not be stealing the spotlight from Madrid or the up-and-coming Zaragoza, but this city is a hidden gem, rich in connectivity solutions and fibre networks. The geographical positioning of Barcelona – nestled between the El Llobregat and Besòs rivers and the Serra De Collserola Mountain Range, its unique geography and political landscape, influenced by Catalonia’s independence movement, may have contributed to its slower growth rates.Did you know? Barcelona is home to one of the coolest data centres around. Introducing the award-winning MareNostrum 4, the main supercomputer of Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC), housed within the deconsecrated Torre Girona Chapel. The unique location of the BSC is owed to practical space considerations, with the supercomputer requiring a column-free space and a site that would support 44.5 tons of weight, as reported by Vice News. This data centre bagged DatacenterDynamics (DCD)’s Most Beautiful Data Centre in the World in 2018. Talk about a divine blend of history and technology!

• • Crete: The Rising Star of the Mediterranean
    The largest island in Greece, Crete, is making waves in the data centre world. Strategically situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, Crete is becoming a focal point for submarine cable deployments. This island is poised to become a major hub for data traffic between Europe, Asia, and Africa, potentially rivalling Marseille and Genoa.For instance, EXA Infrastructure is enhancing its footprint with a 550km Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) system, bolstering connections from Chania to Preveza and Athens. Major players like Digital Realty, Lancom, and Sparkle are already investing in data centres in Chania, Heraklion, and Tympaki. So, next time you are enjoying some tzatziki on the beach, remember that Crete is also cooking up some serious connectivity.

• 
  •  Dubai: Solar Power and Tax Benefits
    Dubai shines bright in the data centre world – quite literally – as it is home to the largest solar-powered data centre in terms of floor space, according to the Guinness World Records. This metropolis offers an extremely attractive corporate tax rate, with a ceiling of just 9% for businesses earning over AED 375,000 (just over £80,000) in annual taxable profits. Although once the primary data centre hub of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai was overtaken by Abu Dhabi in 2021, with the latter’s total IT capacity now nearly double the size of Dubai. As hyperscaler interest grew, industrial zones Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) rose to meet their requirements, further shifting the data centre landscape. However, Dubai’s commitment to sustainable energy and favourable tax policies continue to make the city a compelling choice for data centre investments.

• • Florida: Sunshine, Alligators, and Data Centres
    Florida, the Sunshine State, truly lives up to its name! The DC Byte team received a warm welcome with its 26°C weather in February as we kicked off our #DCByteSERoadTrip. Despite the hurricane risks, Florida remains a critical connectivity hub, especially Miami with Equinix’s “NAP of the Americas” facility. This top 10 interconnected data centre is the gateway to the LATAM market. All Florida buildings, including data centres, are designed to withstand hurricanes, featuring bunker-like structures and innovative technologies. The NAP in Miami even has intriguing white globes on its roof to protect satellite antennas during storms. And yes, gators are a common sight basking beside highways and along golf club lakes, but thankfully, they have not shown an interest in data centres, at least for now!
    

•  Melbourne: Where Urban Vibes Meet Stunning Coasts
  Melbourne has surged ahead in the APAC data centre market. Known for its vibrant arts scene, coffee culture, and stunning coastline, Melbourne offers a unique blend of city and beach life. It’s also the birthplace of Australian Footy, regularly played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Luckily, much of the data centre action is mostly happening out west (thankfully!) away from any errant footballs.The market already sees some heavyweight hyperscale developments exceeding 100MW in total capacity, with leading cloud service providers investing heavily into the market. Melbourne’s live data centre capacity is set to quintuple, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing hubs in the region. So, whether you are a footy fan, an art lover, or a tech enthusiast, Melbourne has something exciting to offer.

Fun in the sun… and among the servers 

So there you have it, a whirlwind tour of some of the most intriguing data centre markets. From the historic streets of Barcelona to the strategic island of Crete, the futuristic skyline of Dubai, the sunny shores of Florida, and the bustling city of Melbourne, each location offers unique advantages and fascinating stories. Who knew data centres could be so much fun?

At DC Byte, we help our clients get informed on data centre markets globally and empower their decision making. Interested in learning more about us and how you might benefit from our global intelligence? Get in touch with us here today.