Internet Speed: 21.3 Mbps downlink; 17.8 Mbps uplink

Population: 8.50 million

Internet Coverage: 99.7% of residents

Main Internet Connections: Cable, DSL, Fiber

Main ISPs: Verizon, Time Warner Spectrum, FIOS by Verizon, RCN

Colocation Datacenters: Telehouse America, Vxchange, New York Internet Company, ColoGuard

Web Hosting Companies: ColoGuard, DialWeb, Unisecure, BanaHosting

According to Akamai.com, the average Internet downlink speed is 21.3 Mbps and the average uplink speed is 17.8 Mbps.

In 2014, the population of New York was approximately 8.50 million. 99.7% of residents have access to the Internet.

The main types of Internet connections are as follows:

– Cable – 99.5% coverage
– DSL – 98.8% coverage
– Fiber – 73.1% coverage

These services are provided by the following ISPs:

– Verizon – DSL (98.8% availability)
– Time Warner Spectrum – Cable (98.3% availability)
– FIOS by Verizon – Fiber (less than 70% availability)
– RCN – Cable (32.3% availability)

Currently, gigabit Internet service is provided over existing copper lines by RCN. However, not all of New York is covered but select areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, and it targets resident customers primarily.

The state of the Internet infrastructure in New York has been a hot debate topic for quite some time. Cities that are not as developed and popular as the Big Apple (see Chattanooga, Burlington, Vermont) have already started rolling out high-speed Internet to their residents, but New York lags way behind this trend.

One main reason why New York cannot roll out gigabit Internet is the aging and cramped infrastructure, coupled with the near-monopoly of telecommunications companies that prevent a full citywide conversion.

It would also cost a lot of money to replace the existing infrastructure that companies do not want to take out of their pockets given their ensured monopoly. Rolling out gigabit Internet in Chattanooga costed a ‘mere’ $330 million. According to our estimate, the same process would cost more than $7 billion in New York, without taking into account eventual unexpected bureaucratic expenses.

According to datacentermap.com, there are currently 51 colocation providers located in New York. Major companies include the following:

– Telehouse America
– VXchange
– New York Internet Company
– Digital Realty
– ColoGuard
– CoreSite
– Single Hop

Telehouse America is one of the biggest colocation providers in New York. They operate many facilities locally, of which two are the most important:

– Chelsea Datacenter
– Teleport Datacenter

The Chelsea Datacenter is their latest facility built in New York, and is strategically located in Manhattan. It offers 60,000 square feet of Tier 3 colocation space, and is connected to the Telehouse-owned New York International IX, which provides direct access to nearly 25 major carriers and 150 connectivity members.

Their second datacenter facility is located in the Teleport, a 100-acre office park on Staten Island, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This facility has premium access to on-net service providers and key carrier hotels in Manhattan, along with major peering exchange points.

Major web hosting companies headquartered in New York are as follows:

– Bana Hosting
– ColoGuard
– Daraz Host
– UniSecure
– Dialweb
– Hosting Source
– PureVoltage

Colo Guard is one of the biggest web hosting companies in New York. They operate facilities primarily in New York, but also overseas, in London, Singapore and Hong Kong.

One of their biggest datacenter facilities, the CGNY2, features 15,000 square feet of space for racks, locked cabinets, and pre-built or custom locked cages. It is connected to five tier 1 networks and two utility companies for complete network and power redundancy.