Digital Realty and Blackstone Inc. announced that Blackstone-affiliated funds led by Infrastructure, Real Estate and Tactical Opportunities have agreed to establish a joint venture with Digital Realty to develop four hyperscale data center campuses across three metro areas on two continents. The developments are expected to support approximately 500 megawatts (MW) of total IT load upon full build out of all campuses. Blackstone will acquire an 80% ownership interest in the joint venture for approximately $700 million of initial capital contributions, while Digital Realty will maintain a 20% interest. Subsequent to closing, the joint venture parties will fund their pro rata share of the remaining development costs. Digital Realty will manage the development and day-to-day operations of the joint venture, for which it will receive customary fees.

Cologix announced the close of strategic acquisitions and additional capacity, solidifying its position as a leader in the Canadian data center landscape. With the completion of its acquisition of two Cyxtera facilities in Vancouver and Montréal as well as the expansion of Cologix data centers in Montréal and Toronto, the company now has a Canadian portfolio of 22 data centers with a total of 1,057,000 square feet and 94MW of power.

UTOPIA Fiber has successfully completed its fiber-to-the-home build in the city of Santa Clara, Utah. The $6.7 million project, which commenced construction on May 19, 2022, has now concluded, providing ultra-high-speed broadband access to every residential and business address in the city and signaling the beginning of its expansion into southern Utah communities.

HGC Broadband, the home broadband service by HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), launches its superfast 2G (2000Mbps) broadband service, bringing users a high-speed home broadband experience. Together with the upgraded version of the Wi-Fi 6 router, the dual 2.5G ports provide faster internet band more stable network connectivity, allowing users to unleash the full potential of HGC Broadband’s 2G network.

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, announced the extension of its network in the Mediterranean, linking Crete with mainland Greece via a second diverse submarine route as part of its ongoing strategic investment to accelerate its customers’ growth.

Bell Canada, in partnership with FirstLight Fiber, announced new unique wavelength data routes with speeds up to 400G that will enable triversity – otherwise known as triple redundancy – between Secaucus, NJ, Toronto and Montréal. These will be available in Q1 of 2024.

Telxius, the leading global connectivity provider, is joining the Firmina subsea cable system. Firmina will connect the East Coast of the USA to Las Toninas (Argentina), with additional landings in Praia Grande (Brazil) and Punta del Este (Uruguay). Telxius will subsequently host Firmina in its Santos digital hub in Brazil.

Arelion, global connectivity provider and owner of the world's number one ranked Internet backbone, AS1299, has joined the growing ecosystem at DataVerge, the owner and operator of the only carrier-neutral interconnection facility in Brooklyn.

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, and Lancom, one of the fastest growing providers of data centre, cloud and telecoms services in Greece, announced their strategic partnership to bolster connectivity and infrastructure services, establishing Greece as a critical link to internet exchanges in Europe.

Microsoft is set to enlarge its footprint in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, through the acquisition of an additional 1,030 acres within Tax Incremental District No. 5 off Interstate 94. The company aims to construct more data centers, making it the primary landowner in a district initially designated for Foxconn, pending approval from the village and county.