What Digital Realty does

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (NYSE: DLR) and one of the world's largest cloud- and carrier-neutral data center platforms, founded in 2004 and headquartered in San Francisco. The company operates PlatformDIGITAL, spanning 300+ data centers across 55+ metros in 31 countries, serving over 5,000 customers including 250+ Fortune 500 enterprises, hyperscale cloud providers, network carriers, and AI/ML companies. Its product portfolio includes colocation (with high-density variants up to 150kW per cabinet supporting liquid cooling for AI workloads), build-to-suit, powered base buildings, and data center suites, complemented by the proprietary ServiceFabric connectivity platform that orchestrates connections across 800+ data centers and 350+ cloud on-ramps.

The company's revenue model is dominated by recurring, subscription-based colocation rentals (~90% of revenue) with interconnection services (~10%) providing secondary, higher-margin revenue from cross-connects, cloud on-ramps, and internet exchange access. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales for hyperscale and Fortune 500 customers with a global partner ecosystem spanning AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, IBM, NVIDIA, HPE, Dell, and Lenovo, alongside channel partners such as ePlus and system integrators. Digital Realty monetizes through customized multi-year enterprise contracts priced by metro, power density, and term, with FY2025 revenue of $6.1 billion, FY2026 guidance of $6.65-6.75 billion, and a $1.8 billion backlog providing visibility through 2027-2028. Recent strategic priorities are anchored in AI infrastructure, evidenced by the launch of ServiceFabric MCP (an AI-native programmable control plane), the 200MW Charlotte AI inference lease (the largest in company history), and approximately $1.6 billion in announced 2026 transactions including a hyperscale campus in Kansas City, an increased stake in Teraco (Africa), and the acquisition of Columbia Capital to scale the Strategic Private Capital platform.

Name

Digital Realty

Legal name

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

Website

http://www.digitalrealty.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR) operates PlatformDIGITAL, a global carrier-neutral data center platform with 300+ facilities across 55+ metros, serving 5,000+ customers including hyperscale cloud providers, Fortune 500 enterprises, and AI companies with colocation, interconnection, and high-density AI infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Data Center Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513)

SIC

Services-Computer Rental & Leasing (7377), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Hyperscale Data Center Campuses (Build-to-Suit) (HDABACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cloud & Infrastructure Support (Servers, Storage, Virtualization) (BPAAACAE)

Keywords

• Data center colocation
• Interconnection services
• AI infrastructure solutions
• Cloud connectivity platform
• Hyperscale data centers

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Colocation (Space and Power): Primary revenue driver (~90% of revenue). Digital Realty leases cabinets, cages, or suites while managing critical physical infrastructure including power, cooling, and security systems. Revenue derived from recurring rental of colocation space and power capacity.
2. Interconnection Services: Secondary revenue stream (~10% of revenue). Includes cross connects, cloud on-ramps, internet exchange access, and other connectivity services enabling customers to interconnect within and across facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Digital Realty operates PlatformDIGITAL, a global cloud- and carrier-neutral data center platform spanning 300+ facilities across 55+ metros and 31 countries, delivering colocation (cabinets, cages, suites with power and cooling), cloud connectivity via ServiceFabric to 200+ clouds and 350+ cloud on-ramps, and AI-ready high-density infrastructure with liquid cooling up to 150kW per cabinet. The company serves hyperscale cloud providers, Fortune 500 enterprises, network carriers, and AI/ML companies under recurring multi-year contracts with 99.999% uptime.

Product overview

Digital Realty operates PlatformDIGITAL, a comprehensive global data center platform spanning 300+ facilities across 55+ metros in 25+ countries. The core offering combines colocation services (including High-Density Colocation for AI/HPC workloads up to 150kW per cabinet, Data Center Suites, Powered Base Buildings, and Build-to-Suit) with the ServiceFabric connectivity platform enabling connections to 200+ clouds, partners, and services across 800+ data centers and 350+ cloud on-ramps. Connectivity products include Campus Connect, Cross Connect, Metro Connect, Internet Exchange (DRIX), and IP Bandwidth. The portfolio extends through partner solutions including NVIDIA DGX-Ready AI Infrastructure, HPE GreenLake, Dell AI Factory, and ePlus managed services. Testing and innovation capabilities are provided through Digital Realty Innovation Labs (DRIL) in London, Northern Virginia, and Tokyo. The company serves over 5,000 enterprise customers including 250+ Fortune 500 companies with a 99.999% uptime guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PlatformDIGITAL®: Global data center platform for colocation, connectivity, and interconnection services
• ServiceFabric®
• Powered Base Buildings®
• Turn-Key Flex®
• DRIL
• DRIX
• AI Private Exchange (AIPx)

Products and services

• PlatformDIGITAL Global data center platform providing colocation, cloud connectivity, and interconnection services across 300+ facilities in 55+ metros and 25+ countries for enterprise and hyperscale customers requiring 99.999% uptime and hybrid IT flexibility.
• ServiceFabric Software-defined interconnection platform connecting workloads to clouds, partners, model providers, services, and locations across 800+ data centers and 350+ cloud on-ramps with on-demand provisioning, discovery, and management through private connections.
• Colocation Core colocation services on PlatformDIGITAL offering scalable, resilient infrastructure from single racks to private suites with high-speed connectivity and customizable power and space configurations.
• High-Density Colocation AI-ready colocation infrastructure for environments requiring higher power density and advanced cooling, offering Air-Assisted Liquid Cooling (AALC) and Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) from 30kW to 150kW per cabinet for HPC and AI deployments.
• Data Center Suites (Turn-Key Flex) Pre-commissioned move-in ready suites using modular Turn-Key Flex design with distributed redundant architecture, enabling immediate deployment and seamless scalability with predictable pricing.
• Powered Base Buildings Fit-out ready data centers on power and fiber-provisioned sites enabling rapid customer deployment while reducing initial capital requirements and leveraging existing infrastructure with energy-efficient operations.
• Build-to-Suit Fully customized data center solutions enabling customers to design pad-ready land parcels and infrastructure to unique requirements, offering approximately 5 GW total buildable IT capacity with single source accountability.
• Data Center Services 24/7 on-site data center technician support including remote hands, power cycling, patch cord installation, equipment assistance, KVM availability, cross connect infrastructure, rack and stack deployment, and scheduled event support.
• Cross Connect Physical direct connections between customers, partners, carriers, and services inside the same data center, available in 255+ Digital Realty facilities with fast portal-based ordering through Meet-Me-Rooms for optimized hybrid IT performance.
• Campus Connect Physical Layer 1 connectivity solution within campus environments across 40+ Digital Realty campuses, enabling direct connections between points inside the campus with low-latency connectivity to cloud service providers.
• Metro Connect Point-to-point dedicated connectivity between facilities in the same metro area across 22 metro areas, linking multiple deployments with redundant connectivity and diverse paths.
• Internet Exchange (DRIX) Digital Realty Internet Exchange providing peering solutions across 6 exchanges in US locations, offering unique peering partners, rapid provisioning, and exceptional performance with access to multiple carriers, networks, and ISPs.
• IP Bandwidth Blended bandwidth internet connectivity leveraging multiple tier 1 networks over a single platform, available in 100+ facilities with multi-homed product options for improved reliability and optimized traffic routing.
• NVIDIA DGX-Ready AI Infrastructure DGX-Ready AI colocation program offering NVIDIA DGX systems (DGX A100) for enterprise AI and ML workloads, providing data center space, power, cooling, and connectivity with low latency to major cloud providers.
• HPE GreenLake on PlatformDIGITAL Hybrid cloud and AI solutions combining HPE GreenLake services with PlatformDIGITAL colocation, including HPE Private Cloud AI at Colocation with high-density deployments from 30kW to 150kW per cabinet and multi-megawatt capacity.
• Dell AI Factory on PlatformDIGITAL AI infrastructure solution combining Dell AI Factory hardware with PlatformDIGITAL colocation using the proven PDx methodology to deploy AI infrastructure closer to enterprise data with validated configurations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.999% uptime maintained for 16+ consecutive years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Teraco (Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Increasing ownership in Africa's leading data center platform from 61% to 77% through $650 million stake purchase. Teraco operates facilities in Johannesburg, Bredell, Cape Town, and Durban with 191MW total capacity. Transaction expected to close in H2 2026.
• Mistral AIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Capacity agreement for 10-megawatt AI cluster at Digital Realty's Paris campus, expanding Mistral's AI compute capacity across Europe. Provides Mistral access to Digital Realty's partnership ecosystem of thousands of enterprises and technology partners.
• DCD AcademyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 7 May 2026Strategic partnership to launch Operations Workforce Development Program for Digital Realty's global operations workforce. Combines Digital Realty's standardized onboarding with DCD Academy's education platform to equip engineers for data center operations worldwide.
• LenovocoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026AI Infrastructure Solution Program partnership combining Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage with Digital Realty PlatformDIGITAL. Partner-validated private AI pod packages sized for enterprise deployments designed to reduce design cycles and move pilots into production faster.
• Comcast BusinessminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership announced as part of Comcast Business Innovation Lab external technology partnerships. Digital Realty partnered with Dell Technologies and Expediant alongside Comcast to scale proven innovations for wider market.
• TelepointcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Acquisition of Telepoint, a leading Bulgarian data center and interconnection provider, including two facilities in Sofia. Acquisition enhances Digital Realty's PlatformDIGITAL with dense interconnection ecosystem in Southeast Europe, with one facility hosting over 110 network service providers.
• ePluscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2025Named ePlus Digital Realty's Americas Partner of the Year for 2025, recognizing excellence in AI innovation. ePlus operates AI Experience Center within Digital Realty's Innovation Lab in Ashburn, Virginia, providing hands-on demonstrations of AI infrastructure. ePlus launched Private AI Infrastructure Managed Service on PlatformDIGITAL.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationAWS Direct Connect partnership with 18 cloud on-ramps across 4 continents in Amsterdam, Ashburn, Athens, Atlanta, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Marseille, Paris, Seattle, Seoul, Stockholm, Vienna and Zurich. Enables private, low-latency connections to AWS with 80% of companies identifying need for global data center platform provider.
• Google CloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Cloud Dedicated and Partner Interconnect with on-ramps in 18 Digital Realty data center facilities. Provides private dedicated access to Google Cloud Platform with consistent, high-performance, low-latency connections. 44% of companies with $1B+ revenues keep data decentralized.
• Oracle CloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationOracle FastConnect partnership with 13 OCI FastConnect locations across 11 major metros. Enables fast, private cloud interconnection for Oracle workloads with low-latency connectivity to OCI, AWS, and Azure for multi-cloud deployments.
• IBM CloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationIBM Cloud Direct Link with 6 data centers across PlatformDIGITAL. Enables seamless hybrid cloud connectivity and secure data transfers at massive scale for real-time analysis.
• Microsoft AzurecoreTechnology or IntegrationAzure ExpressRoute partnership with on-ramps in 16 metros across 4 continents. Enables private, SLA-backed interconnectivity bypassing public internet for hybrid cloud workloads with ExpressRoute Metro for high resilience in Amsterdam and Zurich.
• NVIDIAcoreTechnology or IntegrationDGX-Ready AI colocation provider partnership. Enables customers to deploy NVIDIA DGX systems within Digital Realty facilities. Partnership delivers access to interconnected community of networks, data centers, cloud services, and partners including DDN, IBM, Dell, NetApp, and Pure Storage.
• HPE GreenLakecoreTechnology or IntegrationHPE GreenLake partnership bringing private cloud AI and hybrid cloud services to Digital Realty's global data center platform. Includes HPE Private Cloud AI at Colocation with turnkey high-density colocation scaling from 30kW to 150kW per cabinet.
• Dell TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationDell AI Factory on PlatformDIGITAL partnership bringing AI infrastructure closer to enterprise data. Combines Dell AI Factory solutions with Digital Realty's proven PDx methodology and global data center platform.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Equinix: Equinix is the world's largest digital infrastructure and colocation company, operating IBX data centers across 70+ metros. Direct competitor to Digital Realty in carrier-neutral colocation and interconnection, with deeper concentration in core interconnection hubs and a similar enterprise customer base.
• CyrusOne: CyrusOne (now owned by KKR and Global Infrastructure Partners) operates hyperscale and enterprise colocation data centers globally. Directly competes with Digital Realty in hyperscale build-to-suit and enterprise colocation, with similar AI-ready high-density positioning.
• QTS Data Centers: QTS (owned by Blackstone) operates hyperscale data center campuses across the US and Europe, with a focus on large-footprint, build-to-suit facilities for hyperscale customers. Directly competes with Digital Realty in hyperscale build-to-suit and high-density colocation for AI workloads.
• Iron Mountain Data Centers: Iron Mountain Data Centers operates a global portfolio of secure, compliant colocation facilities with strong positions in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare). Competes directly with Digital Realty for enterprise customers requiring compliance certifications and data sovereignty.
• Switch (DigitalBridge): Switch (acquired by DigitalBridge/IFM) operates hyperscale and enterprise data centers with a focus on Tier IV design and renewable energy. Competes with Digital Realty in high-density colocation and AI infrastructure for enterprise and government customers.
• CoreSite (American Tower): CoreSite (acquired by American Tower) operates a national interconnection-focused colocation platform with strong cloud on-ramp density. Directly competes with Digital Realty in carrier-neutral interconnection and enterprise colocation, particularly in US metros.

Emerging players

• EdgeConneX: EdgeConneX specializes in hyperscale data center build-to-suit and edge facilities for content, cloud, and AI workloads. An emerging competitor in hyperscale build-to-suit with strong focus on AI-ready infrastructure and renewable energy, competing for similar hyperscale customers.
• Vantage Data Centers: Vantage Data Centers operates hyperscale and wholesale data center campuses across North America, EMEA, and APAC. An emerging player competing aggressively in hyperscale build-to-suit with sustainability focus, similar to Digital Realty's PlatformDIGITAL strategy.

Broad incumbents

• NTT Global Data Centers: NTT Global Data Centers operates one of the world's largest data center footprints as part of NTT's broader telecommunications and ICT services portfolio. A broad incumbent competing with Digital Realty globally across colocation, managed services, and cloud connectivity, with strong APAC presence.

Regional players

• GDS Holdings: GDS Holdings is a leading carrier-neutral colocation provider in China and Southeast Asia. A regional player serving Chinese hyperscale and enterprise customers, comparable to Digital Realty's business model but operating primarily in markets where Digital Realty has limited direct footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/digitalrealty
• Facebookfacebook.com/digitalrealty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digitalrealty

Compliance37 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds13 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A10 records

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Digital Realty