The Bear Roars Bandwidth: Charles Meyers, Executive Chairman of Equinix
Apr 7, 2026
Charles Meyers, former CEO and now Executive Chairman of Equinix, a leader in global data center and digital infrastructure. He recounts stabilizing telecom in the dot-com crash, scaling Equinix through interconnection and ecosystems, and tackling power and energy limits as AI supercharges demand. He also explores hyperscale partnerships, practical AI adoption, and where deep tech like quantum and space converge with infrastructure.
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From Level 3 Trough To Industry Coaching Tree
- Charles joined Level 3 in 2001 during the dot-com trough and helped stabilize its soft-switch and data center businesses.
- He recounts Level 3's near-bankruptcy era and the team that later seeded many telecom and data center leaders.
Being Right Requires Correct Timing
- Timing matters as much as being right; many were correct about the internet but mistimed capital flows and collapsed in the bust.
- Meyers repeats Jim's line that being 'dead right' is about timing, illustrating dot-com overcapitalization.
Equinix Was Smaller Than You Think In 2010
- When Meyers joined Equinix in 2010 it was a ~$1.2B company concentrated in the U.S. with small Europe and Asia footprints.
- He recounts scaling Ashburn, buying carrier colo assets and expanding Europe and APAC through acquisitions.
