Frankfurt 3 Data Center

Frankfurt 3 Data Center (FRA3), operated by NTT DATA, is located in the Koenigsstaedten industrial area at Karl-Landsteiner-Ring 4 in Rüsselsheim/Main.

The name follows the chronological naming convention of NTT DATA’s other data center locations in the Frankfurt region. The first was commissioned as early as December 2012. Since then, operations in Rüsselsheim have expanded — and today there a total of six data centers are located on the site, with another currently under construction (Frankfurt 3-H).

The site now covers an area of approximately 28,100m² and offers IT capacity of up to 60MW (megawatts). Currently, 60 NTT DATA employees work onsite.

Our data centers use an efficient, state-of-the-art cooling system that includes chillers, recirculating air coolers and ventilation systems. The site is also comprehensively prepared for emergencies: In addition to an automatic digital fire-alarm system, smoke detectors, fire-protection walls and a fire-suppression system ensure holistic fire protection.

A security control center (SCC) and an operations control center (OCC) provide continuous monitoring of all critical technical functions and the entire external premises. To support future growth, another building, Frankfurt 3-H, is being developed in the immediate vicinity of the existing data center facilities at the site. Designed for an additional 6MW of IT capacity, Frankfurt 3-H is scheduled for completion in 2027.

A data center provides a secure and highly available environment for sensitive information technology systems (servers, storage and network components). Redundant power supplies, reliable climate control and physical security measures create the conditions necessary to operate critical IT systems continuously and without interruption. Large data centers are typically standalone buildings designed to house IT components. And the larger a data center is, the more cost-effective and energy-efficient it is to operate, thanks to scaling and synergy effects in the infrastructure. NTT DATA’s colocation data centers provide the technological and organizational structure required for the reliable operation of our clients’ sophisticated IT systems. Some data centers are available exclusively to a single client while others serve a wide range of clients from various industries.

Data centers form the foundation of our digital society, and much of our daily life would be unthinkable without them. As soon as IT systems (computers, TVs, mobile devices) are online, servers in data centers become active. Individuals and organizations rely on data centers for digital services like email and websites, business processes such as online banking, and sophisticated systems that power railway networks, public lighting and scientific calculations. They are therefore considered part of critical infrastructure, and operators are subject to the KRITIS Umbrella Act, which governs the protection of critical infrastructure in Germany. Such protection is regularly reviewed by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). From NTT DATA’s perspective, data centers are of particular importance because the functioning of other critical infrastructures depends directly on IT systems.

All digital services delivered over the internet or the cloud require data centers. Tens of thousands of servers in a data center run the programs and process and store the data that make the internet usable. These servers support a wide range of digital services (websites, weather forecasts, account balances, streaming services.).

Data transmission takes place both within the data center and to external destinations via high-performance networks. Storage systems keep the necessary data structured and accessible, while security measures such as encryption and firewalls protect data from unauthorized access and ensure its integrity. Regular backups and redundancy strategies ensure that critical data can be restored in the event of a failure. In addition, management tools help optimize data flows and manage the data lifecycle to ensure efficient and smooth operations.

NTT DATA provides a secure, stable and highly efficient environment for clients’ IT systems. A redundant power supply reduces the risk of outages, proximity to key internet hubs minimizes latency (data transmission time), and comprehensive physical and digital security measures protect infrastructure and data. Every data processing operation requires electricity, which is entirely converted into heat, making cooling a central aspect of our data center operations.

How a data center works

That depends on how much the data center is being used. In Germany, all data centers combined use less than 1% of the country’s total energy. Their share of total electricity use is currently about 3.8%.

Energy flow in a data center

The data center site in Rüsselsheim currently includes six separate data center buildings. Each one operates independently. The first building (Building A) started operations in December 2012. Building B was completed in June 2015. Between 2017 and 2020, four more buildings were added, one each year (Buildings C, D, F and G)

Completion of the FRA3 data center facilities in Rüsselsheim

We are expanding the site with the addition of a new data center, building H, which will support the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in the Rhine–Main region. It will operate independently and be functionally separate from the existing data centers.

The approval process for building H started in January 2025 and was completed in August 2025. The project was then developed and planned in close coordination with the responsible authorities and in line with all legal planning and approval requirements.

Construction began early in 2026, with initial work including setting up the construction site and preparing the foundations. NTT DATA has chosen the CFA piling method for the foundation, as it is quieter and causes very little vibration compared to other techniques. This helps reduce the impact on the surrounding area and nearby residents during construction.

Construction work generally take place during regulated working hours: Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 2pm. The new building is expected to be completed in autumn 2027.

Visualization of the new building H at the FRA3 site in Rüsselsheim

To ensure transparency and involve local residents, a neighborhood information event was held on March 4, 2026. At this event, community members were able to share their feedback, questions and suggestions. These inputs are being considered in the further development of the project.

Upcoming steps and construction process

As part of the ongoing development of the data center site, NTT DATA further improved noise protection in 2025, with a strong focus on the environment and the local community. Privacy screens were replaced with special noise-protection walls which help to reduce noise levels significantly outside the site. In addition, soundproof covers were installed for extra noise insulation.

At a neighborhood information event in March 2026, the current plans for expanding the Rüsselsheim site were presented. Topics included the new Building H, improved noise-protection measures, and ongoing communication with the public.

On March 4, 2026, a neighborhood information event took place in Rüsselsheim, where the current plans for the expansion of the site were presented.

A key part of the event focused on the new buildingBbuilding H. The topic of noise emissions was addressed, with experts explaining the improved measures in place. In a question-and-answer session, residents were able to raise their concerns directly. These comments are being considered as part of our ongoing planning process.

The project team also provided an overview of the progress made so far and explained the basis for the planned expansion. Topics included energy efficiency, security concepts, noise protection, and possible impacts on traffic in the area.

An initial timeline for the upcoming construction phases was presented, and the importance of ongoing community engagement was highlighted. In closing, the team emphasized their commitment to open and transparent communication and announced further

NTT DATA is a leading global IT services company offering a wide range of services, including data centers, network technology, cloud computing, cybersecurity and edge computing. NTT DATA is a subsidiary of the Japanese company NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation).

Global Data Centers is a business unit of NTT DATA focused on building and operating secure and highly available colocation data centers worldwide. With locations in over 20 countries and markets, it enables digital growth and innovation across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and India. The European headquarters of our Global Data Centers business are located in Hattersheim/Main.

NTT DATA is recognized as a leader by major network and data center analysts. As a carier-neutral operator, we provide access to multiple cloud providers and a wide range of internet exchanges and telecom network providers, including our own IPv6-compatible Tier 1 global IP network.

Clients benefit from tailored infrastructure and consistent best practices in design and operations in all our highly available, scalable and customizable data centers. We enable next-generation technologies for scalable computing, virtualization and data migration, as well as private cloud and B2B connectivity at regional and global levels.

We focus on energy efficiency and the latest security standards to ensure a reliable infrastructure. In the planning and operation of our resilient and customizable data centers, we follow a standardized approach. In line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), NTT DATA is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across all business areas by 2030 and across our entire value chain by 2040. In addition, we aim to power all our data centers worldwide with 100% renewable energy by 2030.

If you have any questions about the plans in Rüsselsheim, our team is happy to help. You can contact us at:
dc.emea.rechenzentrum.ruesselsheim@global.ntt.