Equinix expands KL1 data centre, boosting Malaysia’s digital hub

Equinix has announced the completion of the second phase of its KL1 International Business Exchange (IBX) data centre in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion across Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.

The expansion of KL1 adds 450 cabinets to the facility, which was launched in 2024. Equinix said the move is in response to accelerating demand for digital infrastructure services across Malaysia, with its customer base already including both local and global firms in sectors such as cloud and IT services, content and digital media, enterprises, and network providers.

"We've seen encouraging momentum over the past year, with both our Kuala Lumpur and Johor facilities gaining traction among local and international businesses," said Cheam Tat Inn, Managing Director of Malaysia at Equinix. "Completing KL1's second phase within first year of our operation in Malaysia signals our deep commitment to helping the nation become a strategic location in the region's digital economy."

Equinix's growing footprint in Malaysia is part of a wider ASEAN strategy that includes its strong presence in Singapore and Johor, along with upcoming entries into Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Through this regional network, the company aims to provide businesses with interconnected, cloud-enabled digital infrastructure that can support high-performance and scalable operations across Southeast Asia.

Cheam added that the company's expansion in Malaysia is not a short-term project, but rather a "long-term investment in the nation's digital growth." He also noted the growing interest in both Kuala Lumpur and Johor, reinforcing Equinix's goal to empower businesses with globally connected infrastructure.

Equinix's infrastructure is designed to support the region's increasing need for data interconnection and exchange, which is critical for sustaining ASEAN's rapid digital and economic growth. According to ASEAN data, the region attracted a record US$226 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023, with forecasts suggesting that figure could climb to approximately US$300 billion annually by 2030.

The ASEAN region, with its strategic location, expanding manufacturing base, and vital trade routes linking East and West, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions for global business. Exports from ASEAN are expected to grow at 6.7% annually through 2030, surpassing the projected global average of 5%.

To further enhance regional connectivity, Equinix has interconnected its data centres in Kuala Lumpur (KL1) and Johor (JH1) with its existing campus in Singapore through Equinix Fabric®. This cross-border digital ecosystem now enables seamless data exchange between more than 1,000 companies, including those in cloud services, IT, finance, and enterprise sectors.

Looking ahead, Equinix's planned expansions into Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are expected to broaden this ecosystem further. Once operational, the company says these facilities will support customers in deploying multi-site, latency-sensitive workloads across the ASEAN region.

The company's regional strategy is built on fostering interoperability and business growth through a unified, digital infrastructure platform that supports future-ready business models and data-driven decision making.

Equinix continues to develop its ASEAN presence in parallel with its broader commitment to sustainable and scalable infrastructure. With the addition of KL1's second phase, the company strengthens its role in enabling regional digital transformation and helping businesses address the growing demand for low-latency, secure and resilient connectivity.

By leveraging its existing assets and upcoming investments, Equinix is positioning itself as a key player in the region's digital future.