Edge & Connectivity Directory

Edge readiness determines whether a datacenter site can serve latency-sensitive AI inference workloads. GLRI.io's Edge Readiness Index (ERI) scores 40+ metros on IXP proximity, fiber route density, sub-10ms latency reach, and permitting velocity. The gap between a high-ERI and low-ERI site can mean 50-200ms additional latency — dealbreaker for real-time AI applications.

Edge Readiness Overview

Top 5 Edge Metros
  • 1. Ashburn92
  • 2. New York90
  • 3. Dallas88
  • 4. Chicago85
  • 5. Los Angeles82
IXP Coverage

85

Total IXPs tracked

Avg Latency

24ms

Average across metros

ERI Data by Metro

Metro ERI ScoreLatency IXP CountFiber RoutesPermittingColo $/kW
Ashburn928ms1245Fast$145
New York9010ms1140Slow$185
Dallas8812ms938Fast$125
Chicago8515ms842Medium$130
Los Angeles8218ms735Slow$155
San Francisco8020ms630Slow$165
Phoenix7822ms528Fast$115
Seattle7525ms422Medium$110
Atlanta7424ms528Medium$100
Denver7228ms425Fast$105
Miami7030ms420Medium$120
Houston6832ms322Fast$95
Austin6535ms318Fast$105
Minneapolis5840ms215Medium$90
Salt Lake City5545ms212Fast$85

Edge Tools Quick Access

Directory HubPower ReadinessWater RiskAll Tools

Edge Readiness: Why Latency is the New Land Cost for AI Datacenters

In traditional datacenter选址, power cost and availability were the primary economic drivers. For AI inference workloads, latency has become equally important — and edge readiness determines whether a site can serve real-time applications at all.

The math is compelling: each millisecond of latency adds approximately $0.50 per megabyte of data transfer for inference workloads. For an AI application processing millions of requests daily, the difference between an 8ms edge site (Ashburn) and a 45ms midwest site (Salt Lake City) translates to millions of dollars in operational costs annually.

Ashburn, Virginia remains the definitive edge hub for AI infrastructure, with 12 IXPs, 45 fiber routes, and sub-10ms latency to 70% of the US population. Dallas follows as the primary secondary hub, offering strong connectivity with faster permitting timelines than coastal markets.