Google to set up data centers across APAC

Google Inc. has bought 2.45ha in Jurong, Singapore where it plans to build its data center. The global Internet company also intends to build two similar facilities in Hong Kong and Taiwan where it has invested about $100 million per location.

According to the company, the facilities will provide users from the region faster and more reliable access to its services. The Singapore data center will become operational in one to two years after construction begins, barring major delays.

"More people are coming online every day in Asia than in any part of the world, so locating data centers here is an important next stage of Google's investment in the region," the company noted.

Asia is seeing tremendous growth in the mobile space. A joint study by Google and Ipsos S.A. found that four Asia Pacific markets have a higher smartphone penetration rate than the United States (31 percent). This includes Singapore (62 percent), Australia (37 percent), Hong Kong (35 percent) and urban China (35 percent).

In terms of absolute numbers, about 518 million Asians are expected to rely solely on their mobile devices to access the Internet by 2015, up from 119 million in 2011, according to an Ovum study released in January this year.

Since construction plans for Singapore are still being finalized, they are unable to provide more details at the time. Singapore was chosen by Google because of its proximity to users, solid infrastructure and friendly business regulations. Other firms such as Amazon Web Services and Salesforce.com have also set up data centers in the country.