Atlanta-based EarthLink, an information-technology, networking and communications provider, said it has opened a new Chicago data center, which will provide cloud hosting and other services to customers.

The Chicago center will be among five featuring Earthlink’s next-generation cloud hosting platforms, the company said. Other centers have opened in Dallas, Texas, and Pittsford, N.Y., and more are planned in San Jose, Calif., and Miami in coming months. EarthLink also has data centers in Atlanta, Columbia, S.C., and Marlborough, Mass.

“Chicago is at the heart of the Midwest business market and an important communications hub and distribution point for IP traffic,” said Michael Toplisek, EarthLink executive vice president of sales and marketing.

The company also will open a new sales office in Chicago.