With the aid of Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), global supplier of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, Chorus has been able to increase the amount of data center colocation space it offers in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, and leverage its current distributed network of telco buildings to maximize customers’ computing capacity in outlying areas.
The biggest copper and fiber networks in New Zealand are owned and operated by Chorus, a distributor of telecommunications infrastructure in the country. The organization is offering open layer 1 and layer 2 services on its copper and fiber networks to more than 90 retail service providers (RSP) in New Zealand since its founding in 2011.
To increase its digital footprint, Chorus transformed four existing metro-based telephone exchange buildings into ‘EdgeCentre’ modular data center locations via a colocation data center evolution. The Chorus fiber network has been supported by Vertiv SmartAisle data center infrastructure at these locations. The wholesaler recently aimed to expand capacity at its Mount Eden EdgeCentre location and strengthen its Auckland data center expertise, which is where demand is strongest.
According to Chorus’ colocation product manager Mohammad Hadi, “New Zealand RSPs are increasingly determined to offer wraparounds of cloud managed services, and we want to keep being the wholesaler for their network and hosting service requirements in that relationship. Our test project, Mount Eden, was completed in 2015, and all of the colocation racks there have now sold out. In order to provide our clients with enough space in the current digital landscape, we had to increase our capacity in Auckland where our clients need it. The Mount Eden site saw a considerable development as a result of this demand.”
Data Center Colocation Journey
For a scalable and adaptable data center solution aimed to enhance the building’s current layout, Chorus rehired Vertiv. A 23-rack hot aisle containment system with a scalable power range of 50 kW to 250 kW was designed and implemented by Vertiv. The system makes use of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, refrigerant-based air-cooling modules, and a cutting-edge environmental monitoring device that would monitor energy usage, notify teams of any malfunctions, and quickly fix issues.
Mr. Hadi went on, “Our 23 racks of additional capacity live in a single row on a back wall - an efficient use of space. That’s significant because massive, antiquated copper telecom infrastructure formerly stood in places like Mount Eden. These are now being replaced with more compact, environmentally friendly fiber substitutes, and Vertiv is assisting us in creating more space so we can utilize it for other purposes.”
"More expansion of data centers in the area is currently anticipated,” added Hadi. “We have a head start in providing regional regions with access to the processing power and functionality they presently lack, right at the network’s edge, thanks to the over 600 telephone exchange facilities that are currently spread around the nation. Our clients who are making choices on resilience will also benefit from this approach. Geographical diversity - having workloads dispersed across many locations - is essential for company resilience in the unfortunate case of a natural catastrophe.”
“With a combined fiber network and distributed data centers offering, Chorus is making a splash on the digitization of New Zealand,” said Mark Langford, Head of New Zealand at Vertiv. “We’re proud to offer Chorus confidence throughout its colocation journey. With robust edge solutions, the company is inviting innovation within its existing real estate and trusts our leading design in facilitating scalability alongside the colocation demand curve.”
