TELUS has officially opened its state-of-the-art internet data center in Kamloops. One of eight TELUS internet data centers across Canada, the Kamloops Internet Data Center will serve as the foundation of TELUS’ next-generation cloud computing services for thousands of Canadian businesses. Designed to be scalable, the center has the capacity to increase its physical footprint and information storage capacity to meet the expanding information technology needs of clients well into the future.
TELUS invested $75 million to build the center, creating 200 local construction jobs. The center has created 75 permanent Canadian jobs, 25 of them in Kamloops. This significant investment is part of $3 billion in infrastructure and facilities upgrades TELUS is making across British Columbia from 2012 through 2014 and builds upon the $29 billion TELUS has already invested in operations and technology throughout the province since 2000.
Built to LEED environmental standards, TELUS’ Kamloops facility is one of the most environmentally sustainable internet data centers in the world. A key element of the center’s efficient design is an advanced cooling system that takes advantage of Kamloops’ naturally low humidity to consume 80% less electricity and 86% less water than typical data centers. The center’s effective use of power will require at maximum only 40 hours of mechanical cooling energy per year, which will keep nearly 2,300 tons of carbon dioxide from the environment annually, the equivalent emissions of 10,000 Canadian households.
“The Kamloops Internet Data Center will be the cornerstone of our national next-generation cloud computing services, handling complex data storage and offering unsurpassed connectivity, superior functionality, state-of-the-art security and industry-leading reliability to our clients. The center’s modular design and ability to expand to meet the growing demands of our clients is rooted in our passion for putting customers first in all we do, and positions TELUS to lead the industry in sustainable data centers,” said Lloyd Switzer, TELUS senior-vice president of network transformation. “Kamloops is the perfect location for this world-class center due to its geography, climate, proximity to our networks and clean power, and the presence of a highly skilled workforce. The completion of one of the most environmentally sustainable data centers in the world is something all of us, especially the local community, should be very proud of. We extend our gratitude to the entire community of Kamloops, the provincial government and everyone else who helped us to construct and launch this leading-edge facility.”
In addition to being built to LEED environmental standards, the center has received Tier lll reliability certification from The Uptime Institute for Design and Construction. This certification requires independent review and testing of the facilities against the Uptime Institute’s globally-recognized ratings for operational sustainability. TELUS is the only Canadian company with two Design and Construction Tier III certified internet data centers for this criteria. TELUS’ otherTier III center opened in Rimouski in 2012.
"TELUS has recognized that Kamloops is a great place to do business, and we continue to grow that reputation," says Todd Stone, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA. "This new data center will be such an asset to the community. It's creating jobs, boosting the local economy, and doing so in an environmentally-sustainable way."
"This new facility further strengthens our positive working relationship with TELUS," says Terry Lake, Kamloops-North Thompson MLA. "From this new data center in Kamloops to our efforts to improve connectivity and cellular access around the province, we're ensuring individuals and businesses can thrive in our increasingly digital future."
"TELUS’ investment in our city supports that Kamloops is recognized as not only a green and sustainable community, but also as a center of innovation for business. As this project comes to completion, we'd like to congratulate TELUS, and look forward to an ongoing relationship", added Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar.