M&A, hyperscale, global markets, AWS
It was another busy week across the sector as M&A and hyperscale builds in EMEA and APAC were among the most notable developments. Earnings season was also in full swing and we look at results coming from CoreSite and Wix. We also take a closer look at AWS from last week. We also have results on the private side from UKFast.
The M&A arena has been very active in recent weeks. On the SMB side, Web.com reached out into Asia to acquire Singapore-based provider Dreamscape Networks as it looks to opportunities in global markets. Still in Asia, but on the data centre side, Bain Capital merged two assets in its portfolio – Bridge Data Centres and ChinData – as it looks continue pursuing hyperscale across APAC. Many of the infrastructure funds entering the space have pushed across global markets. One of the most active funds – Digital Bridge – was acquired by its partner Colony Capital as it continues to shift to digital infrastructure and real estate investments. Elsewhere, Agile Data Sites picked up assets from Lincoln Rackhouse.
The other big theme in the past week was hyperscale expansion – both from the cloud and data centre sides. And this activity continues to push into all corners of the globe. The Middle East is now coming on to the radar and AWS opened up an AZ in Bahrain, while reporting indicates it is also looking at Israel. APAC continues to be busy. Digital Realty entered the South Korean market, while Oracle set up an infrastructure node in India. And there is no letting up in Europe with Digital Realty acquiring a site in Frankfurt that it will build into. This move follows its entry back into the Paris market.
And if the market needed any more proof that hyperscale shows no signs of slowing down, LinkedIn confirmed it would be moving all-in to Azure.
There were also a few notable moves in executive circles. Digital Ocean brought in a new CEO, while Web.com and Agile Data Sites, both active in M&A this past week, have had new CEOs since earlier this year. And back in APAC, Equinix named a new president for the region.
Finally, on the interconnection side, Equinix added higher capacity direct connectivity to AWS.
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