CenturyLink recently rebranded its data center related service offerings to CenturyLink Technology Solutions and announced plans to expand its data center service footprint in eight markets, including additional space in the Phoenix, Toronto and Minnesota data center markets. In total, the company will add more than 180,000 square feet and 20 MW of IT load capacity.
CenturyLink’s growth projects include the establishment of three new data centers in North America, as well as expansions in five previously constructed facilities. Additionally, the firm will boost its CenturyLink Cloud network, connecting several data centers in a public cloud environment.
New Data Centers and Facility Expansions
Included in CenturyLink’s expansion efforts is the launch of its Phoenix data center, established in conjunction with IO, which opened in January this year. The company also has plans for a new Minnesota data center scheduled to open in May, as well as a Toronto data center which will be available in the third quarter of 2014.
CenturyLink will also expand a number of structures, including its New Jersey data center in Weehawken, scheduled to be completed in March, as well as growth at its Virginia data center in Sterling, which will be open in May. The company will also add space to its Irvine, California data center slated for completion in June, its Reading, England data center and Chicago data center, both of which will be open in the third quarter of this year.
Clients Reap Service Footprint Expansion Benefits
Organizations like the Chicago Board Options Exchange will benefit from the expansions as the firm will have the ability to increase its presence in a number of strategic locations. CBOE chief technology officer Curt Schumacher noted the group’s excitement at CenturyLink’s New Jersey data center expansion, as the location is critical for the global financial sector due to its proximity to nearby trading markets.
CenturyLink’s Current Data Center Market Position
Currently, CenturyLink is the third largest local phone service provider, competing with AT&T and Verizon. Last year, the company posted revenues of $18 billion and was ranked number 150 in Fortune 500’s list.
Overall, CenturyLink operates more than 55 data centers with over 2.5 million square feet of raised floor space in North America, Europe and Asia.
