Google data center building with server racks, cooling systems, and power infrastructure.
Own infrastructure as the basis of global online services

In today’s digital world, data has become one of the most valuable resources. Online services, mobile applications, financial transactions, video, email, and corporate systems create and process enormous volumes of information every second. To ensure the stable operation of all these services, physical infrastructure is required — data centers. Many global companies do not limit themselves to renting servers but invest billions of dollars in building their own data centers. This gives them full control over security, performance, and scalability, and also allows them to optimize costs in the long term.

Google and its global infrastructure

One of the most well-known companies with its own network of data centers is Google. Its services, such as Search, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps, serve billions of users worldwide. To support this scale, the company has built dozens of data centers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Owning its own data centers allows Google to develop unique server hardware and cooling systems that reduce electricity consumption. Cooling is the process of removing heat from servers, without which equipment would quickly fail. Full control over the infrastructure enables the company to maintain high service speeds even during peak usage hours.

Amazon and AWS data centers

Amazon owns one of the largest cloud platforms in the world — Amazon Web Services, commonly referred to as AWS. A cloud platform is a service that allows companies and individual users to rent computing resources over the internet. To operate AWS, Amazon has built hundreds of data centers grouped into regions around the globe. Owning this infrastructure makes it possible to guarantee a high level of availability, meaning the ability of services to operate without interruptions. If one data center fails, the load is automatically redistributed to others.

Microsoft and the Azure platform

Microsoft is also among the companies that actively invest in their own data centers. Its cloud platform Azure is used by businesses, government institutions, and startups. The company builds data centers with local data storage requirements in mind, as in many countries legislation requires citizens’ data to be stored within national borders. Owning data centers allows Microsoft to comply with these regulations while maintaining a high level of cybersecurity — a set of measures designed to protect data from unauthorized access.

Meta and social networks

Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, operates its own global network of data centers. Social networks process billions of messages, photos, and videos every day, so fast access to data is critical. Owning data centers allows Meta to optimize data transmission routes so that users in different countries receive content without delays. The company also actively invests in energy-efficient technologies and uses renewable energy sources.

Apple and control over the ecosystem

Apple is widely known as a device manufacturer, but it also operates its own data centers to support iCloud, the App Store, and other services. For the company, it is important to control not only software and hardware devices but also the server side of its ecosystem. Owning data centers enables Apple to ensure a high level of user data privacy, which is one of the brand’s core values.

Why companies choose their own data centers instead of renting

Building a proprietary data center is a complex and expensive process that includes design, power supply, backup power systems, and physical security. However, for global companies, it is a strategic investment. Owning infrastructure provides stability, independence from third-party providers, and the ability to quickly adapt to growing workloads. For users, this means faster services, fewer outages, and a higher level of data protection.

How this affects everyday users and businesses

Although most people will never see a data center in person, these facilities are what keep familiar services running — from email to online payments. Companies that own their own data centers can guarantee the stability and quality of their products. That is why information about who stands behind the physical infrastructure of digital services is becoming increasingly important for both businesses and users in the digital age.