How to read a colocation quote: the lines that decide the real cost

Operators price the same thing in different ways. One charges per rack with power included, another per kW with power metered on top, a third adds fees for every cross-connect and hour of on-site help. To compare quotes, turn each into the same monthly cost for the same IT load, then check the terms that change it over time.

Power is usually the largest line, and it comes in two common forms:

• All-in: a fixed price per kW of committed capacity, with energy included. Predictable, but you pay for the commitment whether you use it or not.
• Metered: a price for the committed capacity plus the energy you actually use, sometimes multiplied by the site's PUE to cover cooling. Cheaper when you run below your commitment, exposed to energy prices when you run near it.

Ask what happens if you draw more than you committed, and what that costs.

• Space: per rack, cage or square metre, and whether it scales with power.
• Cross-connects: a monthly fee per connection to carriers, clouds or other customers.
• Remote hands: on-site help by the hour, or a monthly bundle.
• One-off fees: installation, cabling and setup.

• Term and renewal: the minimum term, notice period and renewal price.
• Indexation: how prices rise each year, by a fixed rate or an index.
• Service levels: availability promises and the credits if they are missed. Our SLA schedule template shows how they are usually written.
• Deposits and guarantees asked of new customers.

Start from the same request: the same IT capacity, density, redundancy and ready date for every operator. Then compare the monthly cost at your expected load, the cost at full commitment and the cost after three years of indexation. Requests on the marketplace use one standard spec for this reason; see our article on why offers are hard to compare, and the retail colocation template for how the terms fit together.