Alibaba Cloud shutters Australian and Indian data centres, contradicting earlier claims

Alibaba Cloud has made the surprising announcement of closing its data centre operations in Australia and India, despite previous assurances of stability in Australia. This decision is part of a broader infrastructure strategy update, with the company stating that it will enhance its investment in Southeast Asia and Mexico.

The closure timelines have been set, with data centre operations in Australia ending on September 30 and in India on July 15. Customers in these regions have been advised to migrate their data to other Alibaba Cloud data centres. The decision to exit the Australian market can be attributed to the country’s small population and the presence of major competitors. Additionally, public sentiment towards Chinese companies in Australia may have played a role in this decision.

On the other hand, the withdrawal from India may be due to the strained relations between Beijing and Delhi. Despite India’s large population and strong GDP growth, the current political climate may deter Indian buyers from considering a Chinese cloud provider. Alibaba Cloud’s shift towards Mexico could be a strategic move, especially with the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers in the country.

The company’s decision to discontinue certain services and solutions is based on the inability to support non-standard configurations in global data centres without incurring high costs. The focus is now on supporting preferred infrastructure scale and leveraging existing business relationships. This strategic pivot aligns with Alibaba Cloud’s goal of rationalizing its global operations.

Overall, the closure of data centres in Australia and India marks a significant shift in Alibaba Cloud’s strategy, with a renewed focus on Southeast Asia, Mexico, and other key markets. This move reflects the company’s commitment to adapting to changing market dynamics and maximizing its operational efficiency.

(Photo by Sammyayot254)

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Tags: Alibaba Cloud, cloud, data centre, Digital Transformation