Case Study: Allstream achieves expanded cross‑border connectivity and cost savings with Digital Realty's CHI1 (350 E. Cermak) data center

Partnering with Digital Realty Enables Connectivity and Commerce Amid Consolidation, Centralization

Allstream, a Canadian leader in IP communications serving only business customers with nearly 600,000 connections and a 30,000 km national fiber network, faced growing demand for reliable Canada–U.S. connectivity as industry consolidation shifted buying decisions south of the border. Their existing Midwestern POP in Printer’s Square (Chicago) was reachable but costly, limiting Allstream’s ability to extend MPLS and Ethernet services competitively and to meet both inbound and outbound customer needs.

Allstream partnered with Digital Realty to establish a POP at CHI1 (350 E. Cermak) and interconnect it with Printer’s Square, taking advantage of CHI1’s carrier-dense, power-resilient facility (40+ carriers, robust power and backup). The move lowered wholesale costs, expanded routing options (enabling over 98% of Canadian businesses to be reached by U.S. carriers), improved service flexibility and redundancy, and supported new customer acquisition across Canada–U.S. markets.

Allstream

Dave Ballantine

VP, Global Carrier Solutions