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Globe, STT GDC and Ayala Enter Into $350M Venture to Expand Current Data Center Footprint in the Philippines; Eyes Market Leadership in the Country

Mar 02, 2022
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March 2, 2022 MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Globe (PSE:GLO), a leading digital solutions platform in the Philippines with major interests in telecommunications, financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, entertainment, and virtual healthcare announced the formation of a joint venture partnership with ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world’s fastest-growing data center providers and Ayala Corporation (AC), the Philippines’ leading conglomerate, for the development, construction and operation of data center projects in the Philippines. 

 

Under the agreement, both STT GDC and AC shall subscribe to new shares in KarmanEdge, Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of Globe that will house the carved-out data center business, which has the potential to expand by up to 100MW capacity in the mid to long term. Post execution of the share subscription agreement, Globe will remain the largest shareholder with 50% ownership, followed by STT GDC with 40% and AC taking up the balance.

 

This venture will help accelerate Globe’s efforts to scale up its capacity and capabilities in the data center space and address the significant and growing demand for data center services in the country, both from local enterprises and global hyperscalers, including some of the biggest content providers in the world. This deal also allows Globe and Ayala to partner with one of the world’s largest data center operators and importantly, a partner that also aligns with its environmental, social and governance aspirations. Today, more than 43% of STT GDC’s data centers are operating with power derived from renewable sources with an ambitious 2030 carbon-neutral target for all its data centers.

 

The transaction is fully aligned with Globe’s view of the value and significant opportunity of the data center space in the Philippines, given current market demand and the country’s strategic location in the region. More importantly, it reinforces Globe’s transformation into a leading digital solutions group that provides connectivity and solutions to power and enables a robust digital ecosystem for Filipinos.

 

Globe, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Innove Communications, Inc., has been operating data centers in the country since 2001 and has since expanded its portfolio nationwide, serving both its internal needs, local enterprises and global hyperscalers. Globe data centers are globally competitive, advanced, standard-compliant, and highly secure facilities strategically located across the archipelago offering world-class data, network, telecommunication, and IT services ranging from carrier-neutral colocation space, managed security, mission-critical applications, and cloud solutions.

 

“The Philippines is an underserved market with huge demand for data center services. Together with STT GDC’s deep expertise and experience in developing, owning and operating data centers globally and AC’s significant business reach, relationships in the country and in the region, we believe that this Joint Venture will be well-positioned to become the leader in the data center space in the Philippines,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our partnership with STT GDC and AC will be a step forward in our ambition to transform the country’s digital infrastructure by building and operating the most energy-efficient and connectivity-rich data center in the country,” he added

 

“We are thrilled to partner with Globe as we expand our global data center platform into the Philippines, further bolstering our strong presence within Asia. With Globe’s well-established digital solutions platform and our data center expertise, we are confident that through our partnership, we can build a leading data center platform in the country. This venture will enhance our offerings to support enterprises as they grow their digital infrastructure in the Philippines and the wider APAC region,” said Bruno Lopez, President & Group CEO, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres.

 

“We are excited to support this initiative and leverage our wide relationships to maximize opportunities for the Venture. We believe we have found in STT GDC the right partner to help us scale up and play a major role in the development of the Data Center Industry in the country,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer

 

The capital infusion by the new partners will result in a post-money valuation of KarmanEdge, Inc. at over US$350 million. Globe will receive proceeds of US$100 million from the transaction with the remaining capital injected to be utilized by the business for future expansion & growth.

 

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in Q1 2022, will be subject to customary closing conditions, including relevant regulatory approvals.

 

About Globe
Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading digital platform in the Philippines, with major interests in telecommunications, financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, entertainment, and virtual healthcare. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. It is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GLO and had a market capitalization of US$8.7 billion as of the end of December 2021. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph. Follow @enjoyglobe on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

 

About STT GDC
ST Telemedia Global Data Centres is one of the fastest-growing data center providers, headquartered in Singapore. With a global platform of data centers in the world’s major business markets of over 140 facilities across Singapore, the UK, India, China, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia and Japan, STT GDC offers a full suite of best-in-class, highly scalable and flexible data center solutions, connectivity and support services that best meet customers’ current and future colocation needs. For more details, please visit sttelemediagdc.com.

 

About Ayala
Founded in 1834, Ayala Corporation is one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with core interests in real estate, banking, telecommunications, and power. It has a growing presence in healthcare and logistics and investments in water, industrial technologies, and infrastructure.