In a significant expansion of digital infrastructure, American Tower has begun construction on its new data centerA data center or data processing center (DPC) … Edge in Raleigh, North Carolina. This facility not only marks the company’s first data center in Raleigh but also debuts a new class of Aggregation Edge data centers designed to bring cloud services even closer to end users, optimizing performance and latency in advanced technology applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid cloud.
Located in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, the data center in Raleigh will serve as an interconnection hub and colocationHousing facilities are a type of data center …, strategically connected to major corporations and prestigious academic institutions in Research Triangle Park, a region known for its dynamism in innovation and technology.
Capacity and performance expansion at the edge
The new Edge data center by American Tower in Raleigh will, upon completion, have delivery capacity of up to 4 megawatts of power, although it will require 1 megawatt to commence operations in its initial phase. Covering approximately 4,000 square meters, construction is expected to continue throughout the summer of 2024, with projections to be fully operational and ready to receive clients by the first quarter of 2025.
The Aggregation Edge model aims to bring processing and storage capabilities closer to local users, allowing for reduced latency and improved response speed in environments with high technological demands. Local businesses and organizations in sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology will benefit from low-latency infrastructure, an increasingly urgent need for AI applications and real-time data analytics.
State-of-the-art facilities and benefits
The Edge data center in Raleigh is designed to meet the highest standards of security, connectivity, and efficiency. Some of the highlighted features include:
- Scalability: Total space of up to 16,000 square meters with interior heights of up to 3 meters, optimized for the deployment of high-density racks, with an average of 15kW of power per rack.
- Interconnectivity: Through collaboration with CoreSite’s Open Cloud Exchange® (OCX), the data center will allow its users to connect directly with public cloud providers and access peering exchanges.
- Security and advanced monitoring: The center will operate under strict security measures, including two-factor authentication systems, surveillance cameras both inside and outside, and a monitoring system managed by American Tower’s National Operations Center (NOC), operational 24/7.
- Power availability: The center will feature a N+1 redundant three-phase power system, ensuring continuous supply through backup generators and UPS systems. American Tower guarantees a 100% availability rate, a crucial measure for businesses that rely on high reliability in their technological operations.
- Efficient cooling system: The facility will integrate direct cooling and hot aisle containment systems, designed to support up to 4MW of total cooling, in a high-efficiency configuration (N+2 CRAC).
Raleigh: an ideal hub for technological expansion
Raleigh has become a key location in American Tower’s strategy to expand its infrastructure in fast-growing areas in the U.S. The city, along with nearby Durham and Chapel Hill, forms the renowned Research Triangle, attracting both tech companies and research centers, backed by a favorable business environment and a quality of life recognized in multiple studies.
The construction of the data center in Raleigh will not only contribute to the local economic environment by creating jobs in construction and technology but also strengthen the region’s capacity to support modern applications requiring robust connectivity and agile infrastructure. The data center operators will also offer services such as “remote hands” for remote support and preventive maintenance, ensuring customers have the best operational experience.
A step toward the future of edge connectivity
With the new Edge data center in Raleigh, American Tower is taking a significant step in its strategy to bring cloud infrastructure to the edge of networks, providing fast and efficient access for businesses of all sizes and sectors. By launching these Aggregation Edge centers, the company is adapting to the growing demand for agile infrastructure close to users, something that is essential in a context where low latency and resilience are key to the success of modern businesses.
This project in Raleigh is the first of a series of Edge data centers that American Tower plans to develop nationwide, reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality solutions that foster growth and technological innovation in the most dynamic areas of the United States.
via: American Tower