Robi Axiata subsidiary Axentec PLC has launched a Tier IV-standard data center in Bangladesh.
The data center, dubbed "Cypher", is located in the Sheikh Hasina Software Technology Park in Jashore and spans 16,500 sq ft (1,533 sqm).
Cypher is a prefabricated data center, and will offer 2N redundancy and fault tolerate power backup systems for its tenants. According to the company, the facility holds a Tier-IV certification, though it is not currently listed by Uptime Institute.
The IT capacity of the facility has not been shared.
Adil Hossain Noble, MD and CEO of Axentec PLC, said: “Cypher is a cornerstone in Bangladesh's smart infrastructure landscape. Leveraging on the vast experience in managing large-scale data center operations, Cypher is all set to redefine standards in smart data management and contribute significantly to the country's technological advancement.”
Robi - majority owned by Axiata and Bharti Airtel - is the second-largest mobile network operator in Bangladesh.
The telco launched its Axentec subsidiary in January 2024 through which it plans to provide cloud, data center, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, blockchain, cybersecurity, ERP, and IoT services and solutions in Bangladesh.
“Today's launch of Cypher marks a momentous stride in our journey to be at the forefront of Bangladesh's smart evolution,” said CEO and MD of Robi Axiata, Rajeev Sethi. “It reaffirms Robi's commitment to spearheading technological advancements.”
He added: “Backed by Robi's industry leadership, Axentec PLC is perfectly poised to pioneering technological solutions that propel the nation towards a future of unmatched digital possibilities.”
The data center was inaugurated by the State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Palak.
Palak said the data center would enable data sovereignty and localization, which would in turn help the government to make data drive decisions. In addition, a Data Protection Act is underway and the Telecommunication Act will be reviewed.
Earlier this month, Bangladeshi telco Grameenphone launched a 4MW data center in Sylhet, Bangladesh. The facility was a joint effort between GP and ZTE.
According to Data Center Journal, Bangladesh has 16 data centers in its capital city Dhaka.
Despite a fairly minimal colocation market in the country, there are local players such as Felicity IDC and Red.Digital, while the government operates an Uptime Tier IV-certified data center in the capital.
In February 2023, Indian data center firm Yotta Infrastructure announced plans to invest 20 billion Bangladeshi Taka ($190.5m) in developing a hyperscale data center park in Dhaka in the next four to six years.
In September, Saudi firm DataVolt announced it was planning a campus in the country just outside the capital city for which it would invest around $100m.