Roundup: Switch & Data, Global Crossing

Switch and Data reports 2nd quarter results: Internet exchange and colocation provider Switch & Data reported a profit of $1.87 million in the 2nd quarter of 2009, up 64% from last year. Rising customer demand and margins and an 18.8% increase from 2008 in recurring revenue accounted for the strong second quarter momentum. The number of customers in the quarter grew by 64 from last year, according to company released figures. The company lowered its guidance on total revenue for 2009 to $206 million to $208 million, down slightly from previous guidance of $207 million to $210 million.  But Switch & Data also raised its guidance on EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) from a range of $71 million to $73 million to a new range of $74 to $75 million. Shares of Switch and Data (SDXC) are down 75 cents to  $12.78 in early trading Wednesday, a decline of about 5 percent.

Global Crossing also reported 2nd quarter results Tuesday. Consolidated revenue was reported at $633 million, down from $654 million in the comparable quarter last year. Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) for the quarter was $93 million. Global Crossing provides guidance of $2.5 to $2.6 billion in revenue for 2009.

ComputerWorld profiles underground data centers in an article titled "Data Centers Go Underground". Comparison charts, customer stories and an image gallery complete this report on bunker data center features, pros and cons and business cases. Companies profiled include InfoBunker in Des Moines, Iowa, The Bunker in Dover, UK, Montgomery Westland in Montgomery, Texas, Cavern Technologies in Lenexa, Kansas and Iron Mountain in Butler County, Pennsylvania. For more on this market niche, see our full list of underground data centers at The Data Bunker Boomlet.

Can the Smart Grid be wiped out by Electromagnetic Weapons? Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (Rep.-Md) brought up questions about the power industry's vulnerability to EMPs Tuesday morning at a House Science subcommittee on a nationwide smart grid. This electronic Armageddon was broached by Bartlett to call attention to the possibilities and to argue that "the smarter we make the grid, the more vulnerable we are."