What is the most important factor when choosing a colocation provider?

Reliability and uptime are the most critical factors. Look for Tier 3+ facilities with redundant power (A+B feeds, UPS, generators), N+1 cooling, and a strong uptime SLA (99.99% or higher). Everything else is secondary if your servers go offline.

How many colocation providers should I get quotes from?

We recommend getting quotes from at least 3 providers. Pricing can vary significantly for similar services, and comparing multiple options helps you understand the market rate and negotiate better terms.

Should I choose the cheapest colocation provider?

Not necessarily. The cheapest option may lack redundancy, have fewer carriers, or offer weaker SLAs. Focus on total value: pricing, reliability, connectivity, support quality, and room to grow. A slightly higher monthly cost can save you thousands in avoided downtime.

How long should my colocation contract be?

Most providers offer 12-36 month terms, with longer commitments offering 10-30% discounts. If you are new to colocation, start with a 12-month contract to test the provider. Renew for longer terms once you are confident in the relationship.

What questions should I ask during a data center tour?

Ask about uptime history (not just SLA), generator fuel capacity and testing schedule, cooling redundancy, carrier diversity, recent capacity investments, and customer references. Observe the cleanliness of the facility, cable management, and security procedures firsthand.

How to Choose a Colocation Provider - Selection Guide | Arizona Colocation

How to Choose a Colocation Provider

Use this comprehensive checklist to evaluate and compare colocation providers. The right choice can save you thousands and prevent headaches down the road.

Location & Proximity

Questions to Ask

Is the facility close enough for your team to visit when needed?
What is the latency to your users and customers?
Is it in a low-risk area for natural disasters?
Is it near major fiber routes and internet exchanges?

Pro Tip: Arizona is ideal because it offers low natural disaster risk, proximity to West Coast markets, and growing fiber infrastructure.

Power & Cooling

Questions to Ask

What is the available power density per rack (kW)?
Are there redundant power feeds (A+B)?
What UPS and generator setup is in place?
What cooling methodology is used (hot/cold aisle, in-row, etc.)?
What is the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating?

Pro Tip: Look for PUE ratings below 1.5. Arizona facilities often achieve excellent PUE due to the dry climate enabling free cooling.

Network & Connectivity

Questions to Ask

How many carriers are available in the facility?
Is blended IP transit available?
Can you get direct connections to AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud?
What are the cross-connect options and costs?
Is the facility carrier-neutral?

Pro Tip: Carrier-neutral facilities give you the most flexibility and best pricing by allowing you to choose from multiple providers.

Security & Compliance

Questions to Ask

What physical security measures are in place?
What compliance certifications does the facility hold?
Can you get detailed audit reports (SOC 2 Type II)?
What is the visitor and access control policy?

Pro Tip: For regulated industries, ensure the facility holds the specific certifications you need (HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.).

SLA & Support

Questions to Ask

What uptime guarantee is in the SLA?
What are the penalties for SLA violations?
Is 24/7 remote hands support available?
What is the average response time for support tickets?
Is on-site technical support available?

Pro Tip: A 99.99% uptime SLA allows only about 52 minutes of downtime per year. Make sure the SLA has real financial penalties.

Scalability & Flexibility

Questions to Ask

Can you easily add more rack space, power, or bandwidth?
What are the contract terms and flexibility?
Is there room to grow into a cage or suite?
Can you do short-term or month-to-month contracts?

Pro Tip: Start with a provider that has room for you to grow. Moving data centers is expensive and disruptive.

Pricing & Value

Questions to Ask

What is included in the base price?
Are there setup fees or hidden charges?
How does power overage billing work?
Are there discounts for longer commitments?
How does pricing compare to at least 2-3 other providers?

Pro Tip: Always get quotes from at least 3 providers. Prices can vary significantly for similar services.

Frequently Asked Questions

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