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China Mobile to invest US$122m in new HK data center

Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, Hong Kong

China Mobile International on Tuesday announced to invest HK$950 million (US$122 million) for the construction of the Global Network Center in Hong Kong, to be completed in early 2014.

This is the fourth company announcing its data center development in Hong Kong in a month, after Equinix and Digital Savvis Investment, a joint venture formed between Digital Realty and Savvis.

China Mobile International is the largest mobile operator in China. It hosted a stone-laying ceremony for GNC on Tuesday at the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate (pictured), currently home to about 10 data centers, including HSBC, NTT Com, China Mobile, HKCOLO.NET, Pacnet Global I & II, Google, Towngas, Digital Realty & Savvis and Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing.

Cloud computing center

China Mobile International noted the company planned to invest HK$950 million (US$122 million) for the construction of the Global Network Center (GNC). Initial investment includes a HK$22.9 million (US$2.9 million) premium of the 9,742 sqm lot of land in Tseung Kwan O.

With an internal space of 24,355 sqm, the GNC in Hong Kong is expected to serves as a submarine cable landing and transmission hub, internet data center, cloud computing center and global network operation center.

The GNC, expected to complete in early 2014, will operate as the base for the company's international telecommunication services, by connecting China's network with the world via the existing and new cable systems landed in Hong Kong. These upcoming cable systems include the Asia-Pacific Gateway and the South-East Asia Japan submarine cable systems, which will be ready for service in 2014 and 2013 respectively.

As a data center, the GNC will also house a range of voice and data services, including IPLC MPLS VPN (International private leased circuit Multiprotocol label switching Virtual private network), long distance voice hubbing and cloud enabling services for local and global enterprises.

"Hong Kong is equipped with the best infrastructure and expertise as a hub between China and the rest of the world," said Tiger Lin, chairman of China Mobile International. "It will become a natural platform for China Mobile International to further expand in the future."

In respond to concerns among environmentalists on data center's carbon emission, China Mobile stated the GNC was designed to achieve the Gold Certificate Standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by US Green Building Council. The company noted it will strive to achieve low carbon emission and high energy efficiency level.

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