Facebook shells out SG$1.4bn for Singapore data centre

Facebook has unveiled plans to invest more than SG$1.4 billion into a 170,000-square-metre data centre in Singapore, which will become its first data centre in Asia. Through the move, the social media giant is looking to support “hundreds of jobs”.According to Facebook, Singapore was selected for its “robust infrastructure and access to fibre”, a talented local workforce and a “great set of community partners”. This includes the Singapore Economic Development Board and the Jurong Town Corporation, which Facebook added has helped move the project move forward.“Singapore has also established policies that foster a business-friendly environment, including measures that support the enforcement of contracts and increase the ease of construction permitting. The World Bank recently named Singapore as the number-one country in Asia to do business,” the statement added.Facebook’s data centres are typically used to support Facebook’s apps and services to people on a global scale. The new Singapore data centre will join Facebook’s portfolio of facilities, which it adds are designed from the ground up with new features to minimise the use of water, energy and land.  The new centre will also boast a new 11-story building design specifically tailored to Singapore, with Fortis Construction being appointed to act as general contractor.This is not the first time Facebook has turned its attention to Singapore. In May this year, the social media giant  revealed plans to organise public engagements this year to garner feedback on its community standards. Singapore and India were reportedly considered as some of locations for the engagements.In an interview with ChannelNews Asia, Guy Rosen, VP for product management at Facebook, added that the event is likely to be held this year, and looks to engage organisations such as the Media Literacy Council, Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) and human rights NGO Maruah. This is to aid the social media giant in better understanding the local context and settings.Read also:Facebook removes ex-Ogilvy global chief creative Tham Khai Meng from councilFacebook Watch opens to everyone worldwideFacebook nabs HP’s Antonio Lucio for CMO roleFacebook bans over 5,000 ad targeting termsFacebook is now rating users on a scale from zero to oneFacebook value takes US$120bn hit following lower profit forecast