The purpose-built GV2 IBX data centre, Equinix's fifth in the country, will accommodate demand for premium colocation and data centre services from both local and global corporations and banking organisations. The first phase adds 380 cabinets to Equinix's data centre capacity in Geneva and, when fully built out, will total 48,400 gross square feet (4,500 gross square metres) with capacity for 760 cabinet equivalents. The addition more than doubles Equinix's footprint in the city, making it Equinix's largest IBX in Switzerland. Further phases will open during 2010 and will be timed to reflect market demand.

Located west of Geneva's city centre, the new high specification GV2 IBX is conveniently located to transport and airport links and is already well-connected to both metro and regional networks, providing Equinix customers with a variety of options to access the data centre. Customers in the Equinix GV2 IBX can access the Equinix GV1 IBX through diverse fibre paths from multiple providers, reaching more than 40 additional carriers and service providers which in turn offer network connectivity to the remainder of Switzerland and the rest of the world.

In addition to providing high-end services to corporations with operations in the city, the data centre will also enable Equinix to continue the expansion of its interconnect business as Geneva is a key location between the Mediterranean fiber landing sites of Marseille, France and Palermo, Italy and the major metropolitan regions of Northern Europe. With 11 carriers, including 022 Télégenève SA - naxoo, Belgacom ICS (International Carrier Services), Cablecom, Cogent, Global Crossing, Level 3 Communications, SIG, Sunrise, Via Numerica and VTLWaveNet - part of the Viatel Group, already extending their networks to the new data centre, Equinix GV2 IBX is on track to become a major carrier hub for the region. In addition, the Equinix GV2 data centre will also provide access to the CIXP (CERN Internet Exchange Point) which is co-operated by Equinix and CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research.

"Geneva is a very strategic market for Equinix," said Eric Schwartz, president of Equinix in Europe. "Not only is there growing local demand for high specification data centre services - particularly from the city's financial sector - the city's location between Northern and Southern Europe means it is a key peering point for a increasing number of network operators. Our high specification, high capacity and network-rich GV2 data centre more than doubles our capacity in Geneva, providing our existing and prospective customers with the space to support both their current and future data centre operations."

The GV2 IBX data centre is part of Equinix's $1.4 billion 2007-2010 global expansion plan. The company has also announced plans to open a fourth IBX data centre in Zurich, expected to open in Q2 2010.