The Kiwi connection to Microsoft's new Canberra cloud regions

Microsoft recently announced plans to deliver Microsoft Azure from two new regions in Canberra, Australia.

To do this, Microsoft has formed a strategic partnership with Canberra Data Centers (CDC), and that's the Kiwi connection to the deal.

Wellington-based Infratil has a 48% share in CDC and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation also has a 48% stake in the Australian data center company.

Infratil is an infrastructure investment company that owns airports, public transport businesses, retailers and electricity generators across Australia and New Zealand.

Alongside CDC, some of the ventures Infratil has interests in include Tauranga-based Trust Power (51%), Wellington Airport in which it has the majority share of 66%, Australian National University (50%), and Retire Australia, an operator of retirement villages (50%).

CDC provides outsourced data center services to government and commercial entities, and the new Microsoft Azure cloud regions will handle unclassified and protected government data.

Focusing on the needs of government and their suppliers, these two new regions in Canberra will complement Microsoft's existing cloud services currently delivered from Sydney and Melbourne.

Steven Worrall, managing director, Microsoft Australia, says "Our partnership with Canberra Data Centers, our open approach and our mature ecosystem of partners, ensures government can accelerate transformation and apply intelligent systems to their abundant existing data.

"I'm excited about how this complements the ongoing transformation of our own organisation, as we recruit architects and engineers, invest in our partners and contribute to ensure the best outcomes for everyone.

Infratil says this will significantly enhance the breadth and depth of secure cloud based services able to be consumed by government and further strengthens the CDC secure customer ecosystem.

Along with other recent contract wins, this deployment will take CDC's utilisation of existing facilities to 73%.

The Board of CDC has approved the development of the 20MW Fyshwick 2 data center to and construction is expected to commence in September 2017 post receiving final development approvals.