Steve Lim, Senior VP of Marketing for NTT Global Data Centers, discusses NTT's growth in the U.S., capital partnerships, Northern Virginia's demand, data center sub-markets, community relations, seismic risk strategies, and the emergence of Hillsboro. He also shares his personal data center journey.
NTT Global Data Centers underwent a significant transformation, expanding from retail to enterprise focus with global integration.
Capital investment plays a vital role in NTT's rapid expansion to meet market demands and drive sustainability initiatives.
Deep dives
NTT Global Data Centers' Growth Journey and Transformation
NTT Global Data Centers, under the leadership of Steve Lim, has transitioned from Raging Wire to a globally centralized entity, integrating data center companies like E-Shelter and NetMagic. This transformation has expanded their focus from retail to enterprise data centers, operating in over 20 markets. Further integration with NTT Limited is planned, enhancing service offerings and brand alignment, leveraging NTT's legacy in telecommunications and connectivity.
Expansion Challenges and Growth Opportunities in the Americas
In the United States, especially in vital markets like Northern Virginia, NTT is rapidly expanding to meet diverse market demands ranging from retail to hyperscale services. Building data centers at a larger scale necessitates significant capital investment, enhanced by NTT's financial capabilities and global investment commitment. Expansion plans in regions like Phoenix highlight the industry's shift towards sustainability, with water conservation driving design choices and community engagement.
Market Dynamics and Strategic Site Selection in Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro emerges as a strategic data center market due to favorable economic factors like low power costs, sustainable energy sources, and available land. Proximity to tech hubs and subsea cable landings further bolsters the region's appeal. NTT's participation in subsea cable projects in the area emphasizes the market's growth potential and its positioning as a key West Coast anchor for cost-effective and sustainable data center operations.
Steve Lim's Data Center Journey and Industry Transformation
Steve Lim's career evolution from Equinix to Vantage and currently NTT Global Data Centers reflects the industry's trajectory towards growth and branding challenges on a global scale. His experience underscores the data center industry's allure, marked by its consistent expansion and technological advancements. Transitioning from tech roles to data center leadership showcases the sector's dynamic nature and potential for innovation and market evolution.
The cloud computing boom has beennfueled by an infux of capital. One of the most prominent growth stories is NTT Global Data Centers, which has become the world's third-largest data center operator and is building across the United States.
On this week’s Data Center Frontier Show, we chat with Steve Lim, the Senior VP of Marketing for NTT Global Data Centers, who has had a front row seat for the company's enormous growth, and shares his take on some of the trends and markets playing a role in NTT's data center journey (as well as his own).
Here’s a timeline of topics Steve and Rich discuss on the podcast:
1:45 – NTT's progress in the U.S., from RagingWire to GDCA.
5:15 – How a capital partner like NTT can bring new scale to an operating platform.
9:00 – Northern Virginia: Demand continues in a region facing land and power constraints.
14:00 – How data center sub-markets develop, including the role of availability zones.
16:25 – Why community relations matter for data center companies.
21:00 -- Base isolation: Seismic risk and NTT's growth strategy in Santa Clara.
26:20 -- Why Hillsboro is the new hotness in the hyperscale sector.
32:15 -- Steve shares his Data Center Journey.
Be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier show so you get future episodes on your app. We'd love it if you "like" the DCF Show so others can enjoy it as well.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode