Summary:
- Mark Pestridge and David Sandars discuss Telehouse Europe’s role in Europe’s digital infrastructure ecosystem, focusing on power density, sustainability, and network performance.
- Telehouse, founded in 1989, has grown into a multi-building campus in London’s Docklands, offering high-density infrastructure with advanced cooling solutions.
- The company prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and workforce development, while maintaining its core differentiator of connectivity through partnerships with LINX and a dense ecosystem of telecom and cloud providers.
Article:
Telehouse Europe’s Evolution in Europe’s Digital Infrastructure Landscape
In a recent edition of Hawk Talk, Mark Pestridge, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Telehouse Europe, joined David Sandars, Regional Director for EMEA at datacenterHawk, to delve into the evolving role of Telehouse in Europe’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. Their discussion revolved around how the company, known as one of the oldest and most connected data center operators in Europe, is adapting to meet the increasing demands around power density, sustainability, and network performance.
Telehouse: A Pioneer in Carrier-Neutral Colocation
Established in 1989, Telehouse was among Europe’s first carrier-neutral colocation providers. From offering just 500 watts per rack in its early days, the company has expanded into a multi-building campus in London’s Docklands, recognized as one of the most connected locations in Europe. Its strategic positioning enables customers to scale within a virtual campus model, reducing the need for expensive long-haul connections. This model proves valuable as enterprises and service providers transition towards bandwidth-intensive and latency-sensitive workloads.
Adapting to Increasing Power Demands
As modern IT workloads become more power-hungry, Telehouse is enhancing its infrastructure to accommodate high-density requirements. Rack densities that previously averaged under a kilowatt now reach 15 to 20 kW, with some installations exceeding 50 kW. To address these demands, Telehouse is implementing advanced cooling solutions, such as hybrid and liquid cooling technologies, to support performance at scale while minimizing environmental impact.
Focus on Innovation, Sustainability, and Workforce Development
Mark Pestridge highlights Telehouse’s dual focus on innovation and sustainability. An example of this is the retrofitting of Telehouse South, which not only expanded space for high-density deployments but also reduced its environmental footprint by utilizing existing infrastructure and incorporating renewable energy sources. These enhancements align with a broader strategy to balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.
Maintaining Connectivity as a Core Differentiator
Telehouse’s connectivity remains a core differentiator. Through collaborations with the London Internet Exchange (LINX) and a dense ecosystem of 800 to 1,000 telecom and cloud providers, the London Docklands campus serves as a pivotal node in Europe’s digital backbone. This high level of interconnection supports various stakeholders, including cloud platforms, content delivery networks (CDNs), Internet Service Providers, and enterprise customers.
Investing in the Future of Digital Infrastructure
Looking ahead, Telehouse continues to invest in the future of digital infrastructure. Plans are in motion to expand its Docklands campus and establish a high-density test facility at Telehouse South, allowing customers to explore next-generation cooling technologies in live environments. Additionally, the company is exploring growth opportunities in Frankfurt, Marseille, and Paris to meet the rising demand across the continent.
In conclusion, Telehouse’s focus on sustainability, talent development, innovation, and reliability positions it as a leader in Europe’s evolving data center landscape. For infrastructure leaders, IT decision-makers, and investors, Telehouse’s trajectory offers valuable insights into the future of data center design and operations.
