In total, Equinix gains five data centers and one disaster recovery center, in addition to one data center under construction, located across three key markets - Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. Asia Tone serves a strategic customer base, which includes many existing Equinix customers.

"The acquisition of Asia Tone will be an important milestone in establishing market leadership for Equinix in Asia-Pacific," said Steve Smith, president and CEO of Equinix. "As our fastest growing region for several years and one in high demand by customers, we see tremendous opportunity for growth. We are especially pleased to expand our footprint in China, which is highly desirable for multi-national customers looking to expand into this high-growth market."

The transaction, which is expected to close in Q3 2012, will significantly expand Platform Equinix capacity in Asia, increasing Equinix's global footprint to 104 data centers in 38 markets. Equinix gains high-quality data centers as well as experienced staff to meet strong demand from network, cloud, financial services and content customers in the Asia-Pacific market. As part of the deal, Equinix will gain a new facility in Shanghai that, when completed, will provide additional capacity of 80,000 square feet of data center space. This new Shanghai data center will support global customers looking to expand into the region and is expected to be available in the second half of 2012.

"Over the years, Asia Tone has provided colocation and data center services to support the needs of the world's leading companies as they grow their business in Asia-Pacific," said Charles Lee, CEO for Asia Tone. "Asia Tone's footprint in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore combined with Equinix's global reach will better serve growing demand from global customers looking to expand in Asia."

In a recent report, Frost & Sullivan found that the Asia-Pacific data center market earned revenues of more than US$2..55 billion in 2010 and estimates this to grow to US$9.25 billion in 2017. As one of fastest growing colocation markets in the world, China is the most requested market for Equinix customers looking to expand globally. Gartner estimates that China will become the second largest market in the world for data centers by 2015.

Asia Tone generated approximately $30 million in revenue in 2011, and has been growing at a greater than 50 percent CAGR for the past three years. The valuation paid is in-line with Equinix's current 2012 adjusted EBITDA trading multiple based on projections for the business. The Asia Tone business is expected to be adjusted free cash flow positive in 2013, consistent with Equinix's global objective.

J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisor to Equinix on this transaction.