Equinix Inc (NASDAQ: EQIX) announced it is buying 25 data centers at 13 sites from BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) in an all-cash transaction valued at Cdn $1.04 billion ($760 million). Going forward, Bell will continue to own and operate 5 other data centers that are located in its network central offices in Calgary, Halifax, Saint John, St. John’s and Toronto.
“This transaction reinforces Bell’s strategy to focus investment on the network infrastructure, content, and services necessary to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world. Equinix, with its expanding platform of data centers here in Canada and worldwide, is well-positioned to maximize the opportunities these facilities represent for Canadian businesses in an increasingly global and interconnected data sector,” said Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada. “As part of ensuring a seamless customer experience for our enterprise clients, we are also pleased to announce today a partnership between Bell Business Markets and the Equinix Platform of global data center services.”
As part of the deal, Bell Business Markets becomes the first Equinix Platinum Partner in Canada — which will provide Bell enterprise clients with full access to the international scale of Equinix’s advanced integrated network and cloud solutions.
“Our new partnership with Equinix, built on the strength of Bell’s network, cloud service innovation and experienced professional services team, combined with Equinix’s global platform of interconnected data centres and business ecosystem, will deliver a superior customer experience for our Canadian enterprise clients,” added Tom Little, President of Bell Business Markets. “We look forward to working together to enhance the reach of our customers’ growing global digital operations while ensuring Canada remains a world leader in digital transformation.”
This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approval.
