Evaluating the profitability of data center market, as a backbone of digital economy (case study: Iran)

Infrastructure and data as an infrastructural resource is the backbone of digital economy. This paper focuses on data center as a part of ICT infrastructure and aims to evaluate the attractiveness of data center investment in Iran. Profitability of data center market is considered as a key factor to attract investors, and net present worth (NPW) analysis is used to determine the profit. We found that data center investment in Iran is not profitable and policy interview is required to eliminate obstacles. So based on challenges extracted from PW method and data centers activists opinions, we provide suggestions to make data center market profitable.