Colocation pricing is usually quoted as a monthly figure per unit of rack space — but that headline number rarely tells the whole story. Power, bandwidth, cross-connects and remote hands can all add to it. Understanding the components lets you compare quotes fairly and avoid surprises.
What you’re actually paying for
1. Rack space
Priced by the rack unit (U) — one U is one slot in a standard rack. You might rent a few U, a quarter/half rack, or a full rack (typically 42U). More space costs more, obviously, but it’s often the smallest part of the bill.
2. Power
Frequently the real cost driver. You pay for a power allocation (measured in amps or kilowatts), and sometimes for actual consumption on top. A dense, power-hungry server can cost more in power than in space. Always check whether power is included in the U price or billed separately — this is where quotes diverge most.
3. Bandwidth / connectivity
Either a committed bandwidth rate (e.g. a fixed Mbps/Gbps), metered usage (per GB/TB transferred), or an unmetered port at a fixed speed. For data-heavy workloads, an unmetered or generous committed rate avoids nasty overage bills.
4. Remote hands
Charges (often hourly) for data center staff to physically act on your hardware — reboot, swap a drive, re-cable — when you can’t be on site. Check the rate and whether basic reboots are included.
5. Setup and cross-connects
One-time install fees and charges for cross-connects (physical links to other networks or carriers in the facility) may apply.
How to compare quotes fairly
Two colocation quotes with the same headline price can differ wildly. Normalise them:
- Is power included, and how much? (The single biggest variable.)
- Is bandwidth committed, metered or unmetered, and at what speed?
- Are basic remote hands included or billed?
- Are there setup or cross-connect fees?
- What redundancy (power, cooling, network) backs it up?
Add those up before comparing — the cheapest headline price is often not the cheapest total.
The bigger question: colo vs renting
If the pricing exercise feels heavy, remember the alternative: renting a dedicated server rolls space, power, bandwidth and hardware into one predictable monthly figure, with no capital outlay. Colocation is worth the complexity when you want to own the hardware. We compare both in colocation vs dedicated servers.
Getting a clear quote
A good provider gives you a transparent, all-in price with power and connectivity spelled out. Internetport’s colocation is hosted in our own European data center with redundant power, cooling and connectivity — ask us for a straight quote based on your hardware and bandwidth. First, decide if colo is even right for you: what is colocation hosting.