NTT DATA, a big technology company from Japan, has promised to invest $500 million every year to improve data centers in India. This shows that the company is serious about supporting India’s growing need for digital services in one of the fastest-growing digital markets in the world.
Strategic Investment in India’s Data Center Landscape
Abhijit Dubey, the President and CEO of NTT DATA talked about the company’s plans to grow its data center business in India. He made it clear that NTT DATA is not looking to buy other organizations in this sector. He said, “We won’t be joining the trend of merging with other companies. We already have one of the largest and oldest data center networks in India, so we don’t need to consolidate.”
In the fiscal year 2025, NTT DATA invested $500 million in its data center operations in India. They also put an extra $400 million into a project for an undersea cable called MIST, which connects Malaysia, India, Singapore, & Thailand. This 8,100-kilometer cable, with a landing station in Chennai, will improve internet connectivity in this area & help India to secure its role in the international digital economy.
Expanding Capacity to Meet Growing Demand
India currently has about 1 gigawatt of data center capacity, & NTT DATA maintains an important 30% of that, making it the largest data center operator in the country. The company already has a capacity of 290 megawatts & plans to add another 210 megawatts in five important sectors in India.
Worldwide, India is one of NTT DATA’s top five markets in terms of capacity. Dubey believes that in the next five years, India will also become one of the top five markets for the company based on revenue, showing how much the country’s digital network is growing.
Workforce Development and Skill Enhancement
NTT DATA has 40,000 employees in India, making it the company’s largest workforce outside of Japan. To address the increasing need for specialized skills, the company has started training programs for its employees in different industries. Dubey pointed out that instead of just focusing on hiring cheaper labor, the organization is now focusing on Improving skills, especially in the age of AI, where there is a big gap between the need & supply of skilled workers. He said, “You can’t just solve this problem by hiring more people. There isn’t enough talent available anywhere in the world, not just in India. So, we have a clear plan to train & improve the skills of every employee in the company, not just in India & not just for technical jobs.”
Global Expansion and Technological Innovations
Along with its investments in India, NTT DATA is also expanding its data center operations around the world. The company plans to invest over $10 billion by 2027 to increase its data center business internationally. In 2024, NTT DATA opened 10 new data centers, adding more than 370 megawatts of capacity to address the increasing need for AI & cloud services.
One important project is a large data center campus being developed in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which will cover 68.5 acres & will be one of the biggest in the Asia-Pacific area, with about 290 megawatts of capacity. This facility will use advanced new technologies, including direct liquid cooling, to improve performance & sustainability.
Sustainability Initiatives and Strengthening India’s Digital Connectivity
NTT DATA has set challenging goals to become carbon neutral by 2040. In 2023, the company focused on using more renewable energy & minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in its data centers, to use 100% renewable energy by 2030. Also, the MIST submarine cable system, which will be ready by June 2025, is an important project that will improve digital connections between India, Malaysia, Singapore, & Thailand. This 8,100-kilometer cable will make it easier to share information & support new technologies including AI, as it can carry over 200 terabits of data per second. It will land in Mumbai at the Gateway of India, serving as an important link for India to interact with the international community.
Future Outlook
NTT DATA is making important investments & Working towards helping India grow in the digital world. By increasing the capacity of its data centers, developing submarine cables for better global connections, & focusing on sustainable practices, NTT DATA is ready to address the changing needs of the digital economy. As the need for data center services keeps increasing, the company is making sure it stays a leader in providing a reliable, secure, & eco-friendly network.
Conclusion
NTT DATA’s annual investment of $500 million in its data center business in India shows its strong commitment to helping the country’s digital growth. Through Increasing capacity, developing its workforce, innovating technology, & promoting sustainability, NTT DATA is playing an important role in shaping the future of India’s digital landscape.
