Brightlio Blog

Located in Orange County, California, Irvine, CA has become a popular destination for data center operators. Currently, there are over eleven colocation data centers in the city. Some popular Irvine colocation providers include Cyxtera, Data Bank, Cloudtrek, and Evoque.

Due to its excellent connectivity, strategic location, and favorable business environment, the city is gradually emerging as a prime location for colocation investments. In this article, we’ll explore five reasons Irvine’s colocation facilities are an excellent fit for your business.

Irvine’s Network Infrastructure Is a Colocation Magnet

Irvine has several internet service providers, including AT&T, Cox, and Spectrum, which offer high-speed internet connections and reliable network infrastructure. Unfortunately, the city does not have an availability zone for prominent cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Oracle. 

The Orange County Internet Exchange operated by Telekenex is a 360,000 square feet, carrier-neutral facility. It allows clients to connect directly to One Wilshire. One Wilshire is one of the largest carrier hotels in the world located in Los Angeles.

Irvine provides empty underground conduits to scale its internet capacity, which fiber companies can easily take advantage of. For example, companies like Edison, Google Fiber, and Cox have been able to quickly deploy fiber optic networks that provide companies with reliable, high-speed data connections. 

Furthermore, Irvine’s council supports the city’s growing internet needs by pursuing several projects. For example, 

• Irvine is the first city in southern California where Google Fiber connectivity will be available to businesses.

• The Southern California Edison company will deploy over 50 miles of new fiber optic cables to expand the city’s network capacity. These cables are expected to provide low latency and up to 100 Gigabits/second speeds.

With its robust network infrastructure, Irvine data centers no longer need to worry about business downtime and productivity. 

Data Centers in Irvine Have Access to Consistent Power

Compared to other data center markets like Oakland, energy in Irvine are on the pricier end. The average electricity rate in Irvine is 32 ¢/kWh, which is 5% higher than California’s electricity rate and 38% higher than the national average rate. Despite this figure, the city is known for its consistent and reliable power infrastructure. 

Southern California Edison (SCE) is the sole utility provider for Irvine. The company provides data centers with consistent power supply and 24/7 customer support at affordable rates. To ensure no interference with the electrical utility lines, SCE provides information on rotating outages, energy efficiency, emergency preparedness, and tree planting guidelines. 

Orange County colocation clients benefit from consistant and reliable power.

Irvine Data Centers Have Access to a Steady Stream of Renewable Energy

The City of Irvine runs renewable energy programs that help data centers reduce their electricity bills. Let’s take a look.

• Irvine is the largest city in Orange County to choose to receive its energy from 100% renewable sources. The Community Choice Energy (CCE) program allows the local government complete control over the ability to purchase power, set competitive rates, and collect revenue. Consequently, data centers can rely on the council’s CCE program to meet their sustainability goals at a more affordable rate.

• The University of California, Irvine (UCI) uses the Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) to develop, deploy, and manage sustainable power generation worldwide. To achieve this goal, the university actively collaborates with IT industries and companies that can sustain the program. The institution intends to use research, outreach, and education to drive more investments toward building alternative energy sources in Irvine. 

• Lastly, the Irvine council developed a Strategic Energy Plan to help reach its sustainability goals. The plan outlines the city’s steps to reduce energy consumption, become energy efficient, and judiciously manage energy resources.

To support a consistent electricity supply, the Irvine city council collaborates with data centers to improve their buildings’ energy efficiency.

Colocation Facilities in Irvine Aren’t Exposed to Harsh Weather

Irvine, CA has a lower likelihood of experiencing natural disasters compared to many other places in California. It is not vulnerable to wildfires or flooding, often posing a significant threat to data centers. However, earthquakes are a common occurrence in Irvine. 

Because Irvine is severely prone to earthquakes, the office of emergency management provides assistance, protection, and guidelines that can help data centers and their clients prepare for hazardous weather. Moreover, the management team employs well-trained personnel and advanced technology to conduct local, county, state, and federal protection drills.

Irvine Has a Conducive Business Environment

With a population of over 200,000 people, Irvine is the third largest city in Orange county. The city is strategically located between Los Angeles and San Diego, making it an ideal location for businesses that require easy access to both markets. This strategic position also allows the region to have a diverse mix of companies, from startups to multinational corporations.

Irvine’s business-friendly environment is evident in its low business taxes, streamlined permitting processes, and skilled workforce. In addition, the city’s economic development agency offers incentives and guides to businesses that invest in the region. Irvine is also home to several major highways, including the 5, 405, and 55 freeways, which make it easy for businesses to transport data and equipment.  In addition, it is home to John Wayne Airport, which was ranked the #2 large airport in North America in 2022.

Beyond these highways, the region is home to several top universities, including the University of California, Irvine, and Concordia University. These universities cultivate a talent pool of tech-inclined graduates essential for data centers that require highly skilled employees to operate and maintain their facilities.

Leading Irvine Data Center Providers

If you’re exploring Irvine colocation pricing, below are a couple of options Brightlio recommends. Contact us, and we can provide complimentary colocation quotes for these and other providers.

Cyxtera

Cyxtera’s LAX3 Irvine data center campus offers 115,000 square feet of raised floor space. The carrier-neutral data center boasts 16 network carriers and cloud onramps.

Why we like Cyxtera’s Irvine data center:

• It meets multiple compliance standards including SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and NIST.
• Robust connectivity options including Crown Castle, Lumen, Megaport, and Zayo.

Evoque

Evoque’s Irvine data center is a 150,000 square foot facility located 1.9 miles from John Wayne Airport (SNA). It’s staffed 24×7 and offers up to 300K per square foot of cage density.

Why we like Evoque’s Irvine site:

• Higher power densities available
• 100% SLA on power, network, and bandwidth
• Cloud-enabled connectivity via Megaport

How Brightlio Can Help With Irvine Colocation

If you are looking for an Orange County data center, Brightlio can help. We help you find the most suitable and affordable colocation solution for your needs and budget in Irvine, Santa Ana, or nationwide. With our network of vetted global data center providers, we provide our honest and expert opinion on each option to help you make the best decision for your business. Our ultimate goal is to build long-lasting relationships with our customers through shared success over the years. 

We also offer additional data center services such as network connectivity, cloud solutions, unified communications, and advisory services. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need pricing information for colocation services in Irvine or other markets. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Irvine Colocation 

What Factors Affect the Pricing of Irvine Data Centers? 

Here are some key factors that can impact the pricing of an Irvine data center:

• Space: Colocation providers typically charge businesses based on the physical space they require to house their IT equipment. This pricing can range from a single rack unit (RU), to a cabinet (42RU), and up to an entire data center floor.

• Power: Colocation facilities charge a premium for power. Sometimes, colocation clients pay based on a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or a flat fee for a set amount of power consumption.

• Bandwidth: Irvine data centers may also charge businesses based on the network bandwidth required to connect to the internet and other networks. Customers can pay a flat fee for a set amount of bandwidth or a fixed rate per megabit per second (Mbps). Connectivity options vary by provider with carrier-neutral data centers being preferred.

• Additional services: Sometimes, colocation facilities may offer other services like remote hands, managed services, disaster recovery, cloud computing, dedicated servers, and VPS hosting. Data center quality varies. Make sure your selected provider offers the secure facility, office space and conference rooms, and managed services your business requires.

How Do I Choose the Right Retail Colocation Provider?

When choosing a retail colocation provider, you must evaluate the provider’s track record and reputation and their ability to meet your specific business needs. 

Conducting a thorough needs assessment and comparing multiple providers can help you choose a provider that matches your requirements and fits your budget. Brightlio’s “Ultimate Guide to Colocation” can help you pick the right provider.