How Data Gravity is Shaping Top Connectivity Markets

Which cities are the most connected, and which ones are the fastest growing for internet infrastructure? Every quarter, we assess the top 10 cities with our Market Connectivity Score—an interactive tool in our Data Center Research Service that tracks 45 different data points for every city: data center power, number of ASNs peering locally, cloud onramps, and more.

For Q2 of 2025, our rankings of the top global connectivity hubs remain largely unchanged—despite headwinds from ongoing power and regulatory challenges. Why?

Data gravity.

According to this phenomenon, telecom data and services tend to attract more investment in places where there is already some level of investment. The more investment, the denser the ecosystems of interconnected infrastructure. 

Specifically, data gravity emerges in locations where robust combinations of network infrastructure, extensive data center capacity, cloud availability, and rich peering ecosystems already exist. These established environments become magnets, drawing in further investment and development, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth and resilience. Even in the face of challenges like power constraints or evolving regulatory landscapes, the advantages of these highly connected markets continue to attract investment—and their status at the top of the Market Connectivity Score rankings.

Let’s take a look at some of the leading global markets for a deeper dive into the dynamics of data gravity.

Most Connected Cities for Internet Infrastructure

Frankfurt | Market Connectivity Score: 61.6

As the world’s premier peering market, Frankfurt boasts unparalleled density of internet exchange platforms and local peering partners. This high level of interconnection fosters low latency and efficient data exchange, attracting network operators and content providers from across the globe. Despite new regulations that could impact future development, the established ecosystem and plans for significant site expansion underscore Frankfurt’s strong gravitational pull.

Singapore | Market Connectivity Score: 54.6 

Holding its position as the largest hub for subsea cable connectivity, Singapore serves as a critical gateway for international data traffic. The continuous pipeline of planned subsea cable deployments further solidifies its role in global communications. While land constraints within the city-state limit large-scale data center development, spill-over development in neighboring Southeast Asian markets continue to serve one primary purpose: fast, reliable access to Singapore.

Northern Virginia | Market Connectivity Score: 51.6

Clearly demonstrating the sheer force of data gravity, Northern Virginia remains the world’s largest data center and cloud market, even while grappling with significant power availability challenges across the region. The combination of the dense peering infrastructure, major cloud providers, and the vast amount of data center capacity have created an ecosystem that continues to attract businesses and generate demand.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 most connected cities:

1. Frankfurt
2. London
3. Tokyo
4. Amsterdam
5. Singapore
6. New York
7. Hong Kong
8. Washington, DC
9. Paris
10. Los Angeles

Fastest Growing Cities for Data Centers

While the established giants maintain their positions, other hubs are growing rapidly due to strategic infrastructure development in key areas.

Clean Power Development

 

Thanks to an increasing focus on sustainable energy sources, regions with ambitious clean power projects could grow quickly, such as the Philippines and China. As power constraints remain a challenge in key markets, availability of reliable, clean power can attract additional data center investment and foster growth in these connectivity ecosystems.

Cloud Region Coverage 

The expansion of cloud infrastructure is creating new pockets of connectivity growth. Several cities are working to bridge gaps in cloud region coverage. Kuala Lumpur and Taipei, for instance, have multiple planned cloud regions in the immediate pipeline. These investments enhance local access to cloud services and contribute to the overall strengthening of the telecom infrastructure within these emerging markets.

Broad Based Connectivity 

Jakarta | Market Connectivity Score: 26.0

Exhibiting growth across the connectivity spectrum, Jakarta presents a compelling case study of an evolving market. The city has a rapidly increasing stream of new pipeline projects across subsea cable landings, the development of new data center facilities, and the establishment of new cloud regions. This comprehensive approach to infrastructure development positions Jakarta as a rapidly expanding connectivity hub with significant future potential.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 fastest growing cities:

1. Kuala Lumpur
2. Hong Kong
3. Manila
4. Frankfurt
5. Shenzhen
6. Hangzhou
7. Singapore
8. Taipei
9. Jakarta
10. Cairo

Data Gravity is Powerful, But Strategic Investment is Too

Our key takeaway is that, while challenges persist in even the most established connectivity markets, the principle of data gravity ensures a degree of stability at the top. However, the landscape is far from static. Strategic investments in clean power, cloud infrastructure, and subsea cable connectivity are paving the way for new centers of growth, demonstrating the continuous evolution of the global telecom infrastructure.

These rankings of the 10 most connected and fastest growing cities are fueled by TeleGeography’s Data Center Research Service—the most comprehensive source of intelligence on data center infrastructure and ecosystems. With the Data Center Research Service, you can:

• Access our Market Connectivity Score, a powerful tool that measures current and potential data center size for 3,000 cities worldwide
• Explore an interactive map depicting nearly 6,000 active data centers
• Discover where to access different networks, internet exchanges, or cloud providers 
• View data center site profiles, including operator contact details, megawatt capacity, floor space, and vital details about the site ecosystem
• Get expert analysis of global data center market trends compiled from over 1,000 site surveys and supplemental research
• Access current and historical colocation pricing data for top global markets.