Global Internet Hubs

Robust Local Terrestrial Networks:  Data runs on robust, diverse, and redundant networks that provide the connectivity that defines the worldwide internet. Dark and lit cable owners, ISP (Internet Service Providers), and satellite services form the network. Robust terrestrial fiber networks allow for low latency connections, higher bandwidth capacity, more redundancy, and better interconnectivity capabilities.

Numerous Intercity Connections: Internet hubs don’t exist in isolation. They require many long-haul paths connecting with other cities, forming a deeply intermeshed backbone.

Dedicated Network Rings: Internet hubs often include dedicated network rings that ensure uninterrupted communications and minimal downtime for connected heavy users like high education or municipal governments.

Multiple Data Centers: To be useful, data has to be stored. Internet hubs have a growing number of data centers. Data centers range in size from a few thousand square feet or less to multi-million square foot buildings and campuses.  

Reliable and Sustainable Power:  Data centers are one of the most energy intensive structures, requiring substantial electricity to keep the systems running. Leaders in the data center industry are moving towards carbon-free energy. Today, 23% of Dominion Energy’s output is consumed by data centers. Dominion Energy has the needed power, and it also has the capacity to support digital infrastructure growth along the I-64 Innovation Corridor and across Virginia for years to come.

Internet Exchanges (IXs) and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): IXs and IXPs are foundational elements of a Global Internet Hub. IXPs are a "fabric" of ethernet switches that enable the seamless transfer of data between multiple networks. The IXs are housed in IXPs, which are the facilities providing the platform that facilitates the interconnection between networks.

Subsea Cables: 99.7% of all international internet traffic is carried on subsea cables. Many of the newest, fastest subsea cables are owned by hyper-scalers – the largest content providers: Google, Amazon, and Facebook.

Relatively inexpensive land: The I-64 Innovation Corridor offers a strong advantage when it comes to the relative low cost of land. Data center operators purchased land in locations along the Corridor at a fraction of what it costs elsewhere.

Low risk of natural disaster: Virginia’s shoreline has a lower hurricane-related environmental risk than the other East Coast states with subsea cables – Florida, New York and South Carolina. Virginia has experienced 13 hurricanes over the last 150 years or 4.3% of all U.S. hurricanes, and Virginia had no major hurricanes as all were Category 3 or less. Other current sites have greater risk.

Proximity to large populations: The Richmond and Hampton Roads regions represent a combined estimated population of 3 million-plus people. As a megaregion, it ranks as the 19th largest population market in the United States. Northern Virginia, part of the sixth largest U.S. market, is just 100 miles away from Richmond-Hampton Roads megaregion.

Economic incentives: Many digital infrastructure incentives come in some form of property tax reduction, sales tax reduction, and discounted power costs with usage of renewables. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022, Virginia offered $135.9 million in tax deductions to data centers. Localities along the I-64 Innovation Corridor, such as Henrico County and Virginia Beach, also offer reduced data center equipment tax rate (40 cents per $100 of assessed value).

Enlightened, local pro-business leaders: The presence and leadership of regional businesses and government officials help to accelerate and capitalize on the opportunity to be a 21st century global hot spot. Virginia is a right to work state.

Components of a Global Digital Infrastructure Hub