Equinix

The American company Equinix is the world's largest operator of data centers (by 2016), on the basis of which the company provides cloud services and colocation services. The company's data centers have an availability level of 99.9999%. For customers who place their equipment in Equinix data centers, access to a closed portal is provided, where customers can search for partners among vendors, telecom operators, service companies, etc.

History

2022: Purchase of MainOne operator for $320 million.

On April 5, 2022, it became known that Equinix announced the completion of a deal to acquire the West African data center and connection solution provider MainOne for $320 million. Read more here.

2021: Telecom purchase of MainOne operator

In early December 2021, Equinix announced its expansion into Africa through the acquisition of MainOne. The transaction amount is $320 million, it is expected that the acquisition will be completed in the first quarter of 2022. Read more here.

2020

Ransomware Virus Attack

In mid-September 2020, Equinix, the world's largest data center operator, attacked a ransomware virus. Equinix said the cyber attack did not disrupt data centers, and the company's cybersecurity team has already taken the necessary actions, notified law enforcement and is continuing to investigate.

Data security on our systems has always been the company's highest priority, and we intend to take all necessary actions to protect them, depending on the circumstances, Equinix said in a statement.

Ransomware virus attack on Equinix, hackers steal data and demand ransom

According to Equinix, the cyber attack did not affect the operations or data of customers who use their own equipment at Equinix data centers. The company did not disclose the name of the hackers and the size of the ransom required. However, BleepingComputer suggests that the Networker group is behind the cyber attack, which demanded a ransom of $4.5 million from Equinix. Advanced Intel Andariel Analytics Platform has detected 74 Equinix Remote Desktop servers and login credentials that are sold in hacker markets and private stores. Most of these servers are concentrated in Australia, Turkey and Brazil, BleepingComputer said.

According to BleepingComputer, Networker provided a screenshot of a screen of data stolen from Equinix. These files are assumed to contain financial information, payslips, audit data, and data center reports. The last time stamp in the screenshot of the folders is September 7, BleepingComputer reports, that is, the ransomware virus attack occurred on Labor Day weekends. The buyout note also includes a link to the payment site Networker Tor and a demand for a cash transfer of 455 bitcoins or $4.5 million. If the payment is not made by a certain time, Networker threatened to double the ransom to 9 million.^[1]

Equinix bought GPX Global Systems' Indian unit

In mid-August 2020, the world's largest data center operator Equinix continues to expand and acquired the Indian division of GPX Global Systems for $161 million. GPX India owns a campus in Mumbai with a fiber optic connection and two data centers. Read more here.

Purchase of 13 data centers from Bell Business Markets for $750 million

On June 1, 2020, it became known that Equinix entered into a binding agreement to purchase 13 data centers from the Canadian telecommunications company Bell Business Markets (BCE). The transaction amount will be $750 million in cash (without raising shares). It is planned to close it in the second half of 2020. Read more here.

2019

Create a joint venture between GIC and Equinix

On July 1, 2019, the sovereign wealth fund Singapore GIC and the world's largest operator data centers Equinix announced the creation of a joint venture that will develop and service new hyperscale data centers around the world. The partners invested $1 billion in this project. More. here

Purchase of Switch Datacenter Group data center in Amsterdam for 30 million euros

On April 23, 2019, Switch Datacenter Group announced the sale of its AMS1 data center, located in Amsterdam, to Equinix for 30 million euros. The buyer will pay for the purchase of the data center using his own funds, that is, without transferring his shares. Read more here.

2018

Charles Myers is the new CEO of Equinix

In September 2018, Equinix announced the appointment of a new CEO. It was Charles Myers, who, according to the company, will help it further delve into the strategy of global expansion, which has become the largest driver of Equinix's revenue growth. Read more here.

Infomart Dallas purchase

In February 2018, Equinix, which at that time had the most data centers in the world, announced the purchase of Infomart Dallas - one of the world's largest data center interconnect centers - for $800 million. Read more here.

2017: $800m Metronode purchase

On September 18, 2017, the American company Equinix announced the purchase of Metronode from the Ontario Teachers "Pension Plan. The deal is worth A $1.035 billion (about US $791.2 million). Read more here.

2016

Purchase of 29 Verizon data centers for $3.6 billion

On December 6, 2016, Equinix announced the purchase of 29 data centers from the American telecommunications company Verizon Communication for $3.6 billion. With this deal, the world's largest data center operator will expand its presence in the Americas.

The data centers that Verizon sells to Equinix are located in the United States and Latin America, including in, New York Atlanta, Chicago, Bogota and São Paulo. In addition, we are talking about strategically important facilities in Miami (connects network access USA and Latin America) and Virginia (serves state customers).

The world's largest data center operator bought 29 Verizon data centers for $3.6 billion

Under the terms of the agreement, about 250 employees and about 900 Verizon customers will move to Equinix. The number of Equinix data centers will increase to 175, and the number of markets for the company's presence will increase to 43. It is planned to close the deal by mid-2017.

This is a unique opportunity to complement and expand Equinix's strategy aimed at the growing spread of our global platform, says Steve Smith, President and CEO of the company, commenting on the purchase of almost 30 Verizon data centers. - This will increase the density of cloud services and networks in order to continue to attract customers, thereby expanding our presence in America.[2]

As USA Today clarifies, Verizon will continue to offer cloud and managed hosting services, as well as retain data centers in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Canada.^[3]

The sale of data centers has become part of Verizon's business optimization work. In 2015, the operator sold part of its cell towers and a stake in the business of providing wired communication services. According to Bloomberg, the company thought about selling data centers in 2014.

Stack Group became a resseler of Equinix global services in Russia and the CIS

Main article: Stack Group (Stack Group)

2015: $3.6 billion Telecity purchase

On May 29, 2015, Equinix announced the purchase of British rival Telecity, offering more for it than the Dutch company Interxion.

The acquisition is worth 2.35 billion pounds sterling (about $3.6 billion), or 1.145 British pence per share of Telecity, which is a third more than the securities were worth on February 10, 2015, when the company announced a merger with Interxion. Then it was about the amount of $2.2 billion, but the deal could not be carried out, since Equinix intervened in it.

The merger of Equinix and Telecity will lead to the creation of the largest player in the European market. data centers Equinix operates more than 100 data centers around the world, 30 of them located in countries, the Europe Middle East and Africa. Telecity has 39 data centers (the same number for Interxion), 11 of which are located in. To Europe

Equinix buys rival Telecity for $3.6 billion to bolster Europe business

It is planned to perform all formalities related to the transaction in the first half of 2016. Equinix will pay for the purchase in cash and securities, and Telecity shareholders will receive a 10.1% stake in the combined company. Telecity chairman John Hughes will join the Equinix board.

According to Equinix CEO Stephen Smith, this takeover will help the company strengthen its position in the European market. John Hughes called Equinix's offer "compelling" and noted that through the merger, Telecity's customers, including Walkers, Spotify, Fender, Toys' R'Us and Atos, will have new global opportunities to meet the needs of commercial data center services.

TechMarketView analyst Kate Hanaghan is confident that the deal will be beneficial to both companies, as it covers a large number of data centers and regions. Equinix, in addition to expanding its presence in Europe, will be able to increase its cloud capabilities, the expert added.^[4]

Notes