IP Converge poised to enter Japan's data center market

MANILA, Philippines - IP Converge Data Center Inc. has forged an agreement with Tokyo-based telecommunications carrier IPS Inc. for the two-way resellership of solutions and services to local and Japan-based customers.

The agreement is seen as a springboard for IP Converge to enter Japan’s growing data center market. IPS owns and operates a data center facility located in Fukagawa, Tokyo.

Also signed was a contract for an international private line circuit subscription at STM-4 capacity or 620 Mbps of dedicated bandwidth for customers requiring high-speed Internet connectivity from the Philippines to Japan and vice-versa.

“This partnership is the first step towards establishing a deeper business relationship with IPS,” said Reynaldo R. Huergas, president of IP Converge.

Huergas said the two companies are in the planning stages of enhancing this facility which would be operated by IP Converge.

The joint undertaking is slated to commence in the first quarter this year, featuring the latest in network infrastructure equipment. The facility is expected to yield 440 square meters of data center space with a capacity for approximately 135 racks.

The IPS data center will give IP Converge its third Asian point-of-presence outside the Philippines.

“Southeast Asian nations, particularly the Philippines, make up the main clients of IPS and there is a high potential for growth as trends indicate the number of foreign residents in Japan will continue to increase in the coming years,” said Koji Miyashita, president and chief executive officer of IPS.

“IP Converge, being our connectivity services provider, is a strong partner and their experience and proven background in sales will ensure that this data center project will be a profitable venture,” Miyashita added.

Huergas said the Japan data center is part of their commitment to building an extensive data center network with similar projects in Cebu and the Bonifacio Global City.

“We see opportunities arising in this region and this partnership puts us in a prime position to be the preferred data services provider and one of the biggest in Asia,” Huergas said.

Since its inception in 1991 as an international telecommunications services company, IPS Inc. (formerly Teleglobe Japan) has diversified its business adding print, marketing services, caregiver training, broadcasting services and soon, financial services and IPTV to its portfolio.

IP Converge, on the other hand, is the first and only data center to be listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The company operates a telco-grade Internet data center in Makati City, as well as network facilities in Hong Kong.

Through strategic alliances with major Internet exchanges, IP Converge boasts of a resilient, high-speed network with multiple routes out of the Philippines and to major network hubs in Asia, allowing them to provide continuous service in the event of a disaster.