How to choose a colocation provider in Canada: a 10-point checklist
10.02.2026
To choose a colocation provider, compare each shortlisted site on ten points: data residency, design standard, power per rack, cooling, power resilience, uptime SLA, connectivity, security, multi-site failover, and configurations and deployment time.
Ask every provider the same questions, in writing, and ask for a facility spec sheet per site.
- Use the checklist below as the core of your RFP
- Each point includes the question to ask and how Hut 8's five Canadian data centres answer it.
The 10-point colocation checklist
The 10-point colocation checklist
What does "Tier III designed" mean?
The Uptime Institute's Tier system runs from Tier I ("basic capacity") to Tier IV ("fault tolerant"). Tier III means "concurrently maintainable": components can be serviced without taking the site down. A design rating describes how the site was designed; a constructed-facility certification verifies the site as built (Uptime Institute). Ask each provider which one they hold.
How much power per rack should you plan for?
How do you run a colocation RFP?
- Define requirements: power (kW), density per rack, location, compliance obligations and growth over three years.
- Shortlist sites, not just providers: capabilities vary by building.
- Send the checklist above to every shortlisted provider and ask for written answers.
- Request a facility spec sheet for each site: as-built power, cooling, connectivity and compliance.
- Tour the site and meet the operations team.
- Compare like for like, then ask for pricing on the configuration you need.
Which Hut 8 site should you shortlist?
- High-density or GPU: Kelowna or Mississauga.
- Regulated enterprise near Toronto: Mississauga, with five carriers and 2N UPS.
- Northern GTA: Vaughan.
- Downtown Vancouver with failover to Kelowna: the Vancouver Vault or Vancouver (VAN2).
For the full network, see enterprise colocation in Canada. New to colocation? Start with the ultimate guide to colocation in Canada.
How do I choose a colocation provider?
Compare shortlisted sites on data residency, design standard, power per rack, cooling, power resilience, uptime SLA, connectivity, security, failover options and deployment time, using the same written questions for each.
What should a colocation RFP include?
Your power and density needs, location, compliance obligations and growth plans, plus a fixed set of questions every provider answers in writing.
What is the difference between Tier I and Tier III?
Under the Uptime Institute system, Tier I is basic capacity and Tier III is concurrently maintainable, meaning components can be serviced without an outage.
What does carrier-neutral mean?
A carrier-neutral data centre lets you choose among several network carriers rather than one.
How long does it take to move into colocation?
It depends on the configuration. At Hut 8, high-density deployments typically go live in a few weeks.
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An 8-page guide to choosing a colocation provider in Canada: a 10-question checklist, the RFP steps, FAQs, and every Hut 8 Canada site compared on power, cooling, connectivity and security.