Miami is a key hub for 90% of internet communications in Latin America. The city is the landing point for 18 submarine cables that bring internet to the region. The cables connect to a building in downtown Miami, managed by Equinix, which is highly secure, with strict access control and measures to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. The building houses the NAP of the Americas, a neutral interconnection point for global telecommunications firms. It is a six-story structure with restricted access, where internet connections from around the world converge. The NAP has 30,000 connections on servers and hardware, communicating through thousands of kilometers of cabling. Each client has a “cage” with their own hardware, which is protected to prevent interference.
The NAP connects 176 clients, including internet and telephone operators from Latin American and Caribbean countries. It also has connections from other services, such as communication providers, schools, finance companies, and public and private entities. The NAP has been used by key US government agencies. The building has thick walls and a strong structure to withstand hurricanes, and it is located 14 feet above sea level to avoid flooding. The NAP uses 27 massive air conditioning units to keep the hardware cool, consuming 13.2 megawatts of electricity per hour. The building has been expanded and upgraded over the years to keep up with technology. The NAP has seen a surge in data traffic during the pandemic, with internet usage tripling to 1.5 terabytes per second. The building’s rooftop is adorned with large white spheres, which were originally used to protect satellite antennas from rain but are now decorative. The NAP is a symbol of Miami’s importance in the global internet infrastructure.
Despite being a vital component of the global internet infrastructure, the NAP of the Americas is relatively unknown to most people in Miami. Located in the heart of the city, the building is a fortress of connectivity, housing the hardware and technology that power the internet for millions of people across Latin America and the Caribbean. The NAP’s presence in Miami underscores the city’s role as a key hub for international telecommunications and its importance in the digital age.
