Equinix Expands in India with CN1: Powering Digital Transformation from Chennai

MANOJ PAUL
MD- EQUINIX INDIA

Equinix, a global leader in digital infrastructure, has been enabling enterprises through colocation and interconnection solutions. Since entering India in 2021, it has expanded successfully in Mumbai and is now launching the CN1 data center in Chennai. This milestone enhances its presence while empowering businesses to leverage cloud, multi-cloud, and AI. At the CN1 launch, Manoj Paul, MD- Equinix India, shared with VARINDIA how Equinix is driving secure, scalable digital infrastructure that accelerates enterprise transformation and contributes to India’s digital growth and initiatives like Digital India.

Equinix’s CN1 data center in Chennai is designed to support emerging technologies like AI, hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, interconnection, and content distribution. With rising 5G adoption, it provides low- latency, scalable, and secure infrastructure for OTTs, CDNs, enterprises, and network providers, complementing Equinix’s IBX in Mumbai.

While Mumbai hosts nearly 50% of India’s data center capacity due to its ecosystem and cable connectivity, Chennai was strategically chosen for its undersea cable landing points, including new routes to East Asia. This ensures redundancy, disaster recovery, and global reach, creating a dual-hub model that strengthens India’s digital backbone and accelerates its digital economy.

EQUINIX’S DIFFERENTIATION

Unlike traditional providers, Equinix focuses squarely on enterprise customers. With 10,000+ clients globally, it operates 270+ data centers across 75+ metros  in 35+ countries. This global footprint allows Chennai-based enterprises instant access to international markets, while multinational companies can  establish  a  local  presence in India with ease. Equinix’s hallmark is 99.99% uptime, made possible by its robust design, global best practices, and scalable operations. What truly sets it apart is its interconnection-first approach. Customers can colocate storage next to cloud providers inside Equinix facilities, achieving under one millisecond latency. With the Fabric Cloud Router, enterprises can seamlessly switch between providers like AWS, Google, and Oracle without inefficiency.

Scalability is another major differentiator. Enterprises can flexibly adjust bandwidth from 1Gbps to 10Gbps instantly, paying only for what they use. The flagship Fabric service allows multiple cloud connections through a single port, providing agility, cost savings, and innovation opportunities.

BUILDING LOCAL TALENT AND SKILLS

With CN1, Equinix is investing heavily in local talent development. New data centers require skilled engineers  and  technicians for design, build, commissioning, and operations. Equinix recruits from local markets and then  trains  them  rigorously in global processes. Subject matter experts from across the world provide continuous training to ensure that service quality in India matches global standards.

This consistency gives customers confidence that an Equinix data center— whether in Mumbai, Chennai, Singapore, or New York—delivers the same reliability. Notably, 60% of Equinix’s global revenue comes from customers deployed across three or more regions, reflecting the trust and reliability built over decades.

PARTNERSHIPS AND INDUSTRIES TO BENEFIT

Equinix thrives on collaboration. Its Fabric platform enables enterprises to connect seamlessly with  cloud  providers for efficient multi-cloud and hybrid deployments. Nearly 40% of cloud on- ramps worldwide are hosted in Equinix facilities, ensuring instant and secure access to global platforms.

Beyond cloud, Equinix partners with server manufacturers, chip providers, and cooling technology innovators. These partnerships allow Equinix to assemble tailored solutions for enterprises anywhere in the world. With CN1, Indian enterprises now gain access to the same global-standard infrastructure and partner ecosystem, accelerating their transformation journeys.

CN1 caters to a broad spectrum of industries. Cloud providers can host platforms locally and connect seamlessly with enterprise customers. OTTs and CDNs benefit from Equinix’s strong ecosystem and interconnection services, ensuring smooth content delivery through ISPs. Enterprises can leverage hybrid multi-cloud, global connectivity, and access to  270+ data centers worldwide. Even hyperscalers stand to gain from Equinix’s scale, security, and efficiency, enabling them to accelerate digital transformation and expand globally from India.

FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY & OVERCOMING MARKET CHALLENGES

Equinix is strongly committed to sustainability in line with India’s green data center policy. The company uses advanced energy-efficient technologies, including patented cool arrays and hot air containment systems, to minimize cooling needs and improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), reducing both costs and environmental impact. It has also secured renewable energy contracts in Maharashtra to power its Mumbai operations with solar and wind, with plans to extend similar initiatives to Chennai.

The new CN1 facility in Chennai starts with 800 cabinets and will scale to 4,250 across four phases, ensuring long-term capacity growth. Equinix’s global experience equips it to anticipate and meet evolving enterprise demands, particularly in  emerging  areas like AI adoption. With tested architectures, proven partnerships, and best practices already implemented worldwide, Equinix is well-prepared to deliver optimized, scalable, and sustainable digital infrastructure for Indian enterprises, supporting both digital transformation and the nation’s broader green growth agenda.

A MESSAGE TO PARTNERS

Equinix emphasizes that partnerships are central to its success. From cloud providers to technology partners, collaborations have been the backbone of building CN1. Going forward, Equinix seeks to leverage these partnerships not just for its business but  for  India’s  broader  digital  journey. By empowering enterprises, supporting the government’s Digital India vision, and contributing to the goal of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy, Equinix is positioning itself as a key enabler of India’s digital future.