Data Centers a Growth Industry for Isle of Man

The growth in Internet gambling is contributing to a surge in data center construction on the Isle of Man, an island nation off the British coast which "actively encourages the development of gambling and e-gaming business." Today Netcetera became the latest company to announce a new hosting facility on the Isle of Man, announcing plans for a $15 million data center that will open in September 2006. Netcetera says the new center near Ronaldsway Airport will be the isle's largest, with enough space to accomodate 700 server racks.

"Netcetera's new data centre is further evidence of the significant investment being made in the Island's hosting infrastructure at the present time" said Tim Craine, Isle of Man Government's Director of E-Business. "With the continuing growth in the Island's eGaming and broader eBusiness industries, there is significant demand for world-class infrastructure and developments such as this one will ensure that we have the necessary facilities to support such growth."

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar expansion by Domicilium, which is building a 22,000 square foot centre in Ronaldsway. The new site will allow it to expand from its current hosting digs on the Isle at Manx Telecom's data center. "Much of the interest has been from primarily internet facing companies, such as travel agents, gambling and e-gaming companies," said Phil Adcock, technical director of Domicilium.

The Isle of Man actively promotes the island as an ideal environment for Internet gambling companies, offers generous incentives that include zero income tax on e-gaming companies.