iColo, a Digital Realty Company, is a premier provider of carrier-neutral data centers in Kenya and Mozambique
They serve a wide range of customers, including telecom carriers, ISPs, IT and cloud providers, and enterprise businesses. With the increasing demand for reliable data center services in East Africa, iColo sought to enhance their infrastructure to meet international standards. The company operates key facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa, including Mombasa One (MBA1), Mombasa Two (MBA2), and Nairobi One (NBO1).
Project Overview
The expansion and upgrade of iColo’s data centers in Nairobi and Mombasa required high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support their customers’ needs. iColo first established a facility in Mombasa, termed the ‘Gateway to East Africa,’ owing to the subsea cables landing in the coastal city. This location catered to the colocation needs of connectivity providers looking to sell capacity in Kenya and the broader East African region. Later, they set up in Nairobi specifically for enterprise businesses in the city.
This project was motivated by the increasing need for colocation data centers in the region. As they launched their data center operations, iColo needed the right equipment and expertise to ensure that our colocation services met international standards. iColo sought a partner capable of delivering state-of-the-art, reliable services and solutions, which led to the collaboration with Siemon.
The challenge
With data centers spanning over 2,600 sqm, iColo needed a flexible, easy-to-deploy interconnect infrastructure that would future-proof their facilities, especially as technologies like AI and machine learning continue to evolve. iColo’s growing customer base, including enterprises and connectivity providers, demanded robust and reliable data center services. With subsea cables landing in Mombasa, the region became a critical connectivity hub, and iColo needed to ensure their colocation services were on par with global standards. The main challenge was to build a scalable, high-performance infrastructure that could handle the growing data traffic while offering flexibility and reliability.
The Siemon solution
Siemon was selected as the solution provider due to their superior product performance, ease of installation, and local technical support. After a thorough evaluation process, Siemon’s products were chosen to deliver the advanced interconnect infrastructure iColo required.
The following Siemon solutions were deployed:
- Plug and Play Fiber Solutions – RazorCoreTM fiber trunks, LC BladePatch, fiber combo panels, and fiber trunks for fast, easy installation.
- Plug and Play Copper Solutions – Z-MAX shielded copper trunks, patch panels, and combo panel adapters to ensure reliable, high-performance connections.
- RS Racks and VCM Cable Managers – Used for efficient cable management in Meet-Me rooms.
- Cable Tray Racks (CTR) and V-Series Cabinets – Installed for optimal data center management and organization.
These solutions allowed iColo to offer carrier-neutral connectivity, enabling their customers to easily interconnect and exchange data with minimal latency.
Implementation and results
iColo’s project began in 2017 and continues to evolve, with the most recent phases focusing on the expansion of Mombasa and Nairobi data centers. Siemon’s products were installed across iColo’s facilities, providing seamless connectivity and superior performance. The implementation of RS racks and VCM cable managers resolved key cable management challenges in the Meet-Me rooms, enhancing operational efficiency. Performance tests revealed that the Siemon solutions exceeded expectations, offering zero failure rates and ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service for iColo’s customers.
Customer feedback and benefits
Working with Siemon has delivered significant advantages for iColo. The solutions provided faster service delivery, improved connectivity reliability, and superior thermal management, which are critical for maintaining optimal performance in a data center environment. The quick installation process reduced downtime, enabling iColo to meet their project deadlines efficiently. “Siemon has been a valuable partner throughout our journey. Their products have proven to be reliable, and their technical support is always timely”, commented iColo’s team.
Conclusion
By leveraging Siemon’s innovative solutions, iColo was able to build and expand its data center facilities to meet the needs of its diverse customer base in East Africa. With reliable, future-proof infrastructure now in place, iColo is well-positioned to support the region’s growing demand for colocation services and data connectivity.
