CALGARY – SMEs in high-tech industry that have their own servers or outsource Web hosting services might be interested in the latest TELUS development. The corporation has invested $47 million in two extra Internet Data Centres, one in Toronto and the other in Calgary, to meet the rising demands for Internet hosting services and e-business applications.

"We estimate that the market growth will be 74 per cent between 2000 and 2005," said Craig Richardson, director of national product marketing – Hosting Solutions. He predicted that approximately 50 per cent of Internet companies currently choosing not to outsource Internet hosting will need to do so to remain competitive. "It's an awful big growth curve," he said.

The two centres add to the five existing centres that TELUS owns in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Rimouski. Richardson does not expect fee increases to offset the start-up costs of the new centres. He said SMEs will save up to 60 per cent if they switch to a service provider model.

Some features of TELUS Internet Data Centres:

• Card key and biometric (fingerprint) access with battery backup
• 24-hour on-site security
• Fireproof, bulletproof and shatterproof glass
• State-of-the-art heat and smoke laser-detection system
• Intrusion detection systems
• Reinforced building structure
• Electrical power conditioning to eliminate surges and transmission noises
• Multiple Internet firewalls
• Backup generator power
• Diverse and redundant fibre networks
• Redundant air conditioning system
• Dust and pollutant controls
• Static-free floor and sub-floor (CO Staff)

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