Finding a Pennsylvania data center that delivers reliable service across the Mid-Atlantic region takes some research. Most data center operators have focused their investments on Northern Virginia or the New York City metro area, leaving Pennsylvania businesses with fewer local options than they might expect.
That gap in the market matters. After Hurricane Sandy disrupted operations across the Northeast, many companies began looking for providers outside traditional data center corridors. The concentration of facilities in any single region creates risk, and smart IT planning means diversifying where your critical infrastructure lives.
The right data center partner simplifies your operations and lets you focus on running your business instead of worrying about server uptime. The wrong one leads to budget overruns, unexpected downtime, and overtaxed internal teams scrambling to fix problems.
What Is a Pennsylvania Data Center?
A Pennsylvania data center is a facility located within the state that houses servers, storage systems, and networking equipment for businesses. These facilities provide colocation services, meaning companies can rent space, power, and cooling for their own hardware rather than building and maintaining their own server rooms.
Pennsylvania sits in a strategic position between major East Coast markets. Businesses in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and surrounding areas can access data centers that connect to both New York and Washington, D.C. fiber routes without the premium pricing of facilities in those metros.
Why Location Matters for Data Center Selection
Working with a local data center offers several practical advantages over using a facility hundreds of miles away.
Reduced latency. Physical distance affects data transmission speed. A server in Philadelphia will respond faster to users in the Mid-Atlantic region than one in Texas or California.
Faster on-site access. When hardware needs hands-on attention, your technicians can reach a local facility in hours rather than days. This cuts downtime and speeds up troubleshooting.
Lower risk from cable damage. The farther your data travels, the more infrastructure sits between you and your servers. Local facilities mean shorter cable runs and fewer points of failure.
Real relationships with real people. A local provider becomes a partner rather than a faceless support ticket queue. You can visit the facility, meet the operations team, and build the kind of relationship that pays off when problems arise.
4 Pennsylvania Data Centers for Regional Service
These four providers offer solid options for businesses seeking Pennsylvania-based data center services.
1. Netrality (401 North Broad, Philadelphia)
Netrality operates one of the most fiber-rich data centers on the East Coast at 401 North Broad Street in Philadelphia. The facility sits at the primary junction for north-south domestic fiber routes along the eastern seaboard, making it a critical connectivity hub for the region.
The building offers access to more than 73 unique network providers and three peering exchanges. Businesses can connect directly to AWS Direct Connect and Google Cloud Interconnect through on-site cloud on-ramps. The carrier-neutral Meet-Me-Room allows companies to choose providers freely without being locked into a single carrier.
Security and reliability features include 24/7 monitoring from a network operations center, two-factor authentication for Meet-Me-Room access, video surveillance throughout the facility, and SSAE 16 SOC 2 Type 2 certification. The building maintains HIPAA and PCI compliance, with PCI-compliant cages available for businesses with strict regulatory requirements.
Power infrastructure runs on a 2N UPS configuration with N+1 backup generators and 30,000 gallons of fuel supply. The facility sits outside the 100-year flood plain, which proved valuable during past regional storms.
Colocation options range from single cabinets to cages, private suites, and dedicated floors with power density up to 20kW per cabinet.
2. TierPoint (Valley Forge and Multiple Locations)
TierPoint maintains four SSAE 16 audited data centers across Pennsylvania. The Valley Forge facility offers cabinets, cages, and suites that can be customized to specific business requirements. The company also provides build-outs for dedicated office space and disaster recovery workspaces.
Security includes 24/7 electronic and physical monitoring with two-factor authentication and biometric scanners. CCTV records are retained for at least 90 days. TierPoint backs their service with a 100% uptime SLA.
The power distribution system runs on a 2N configuration with N+1 backup generators. Temperature control uses custom-built mass air units.
3. Quonix (Philadelphia)
Quonix provides both an in-house BGP blended IP backbone and carrier-neutral cross-connect access from their Philadelphia location. The facility uses Cisco 7600 Routing Platforms with global route views for optimized routing.
The building includes a Meet Me Case with access to more than 10 on-net carriers. Security features include 24/7 RFID card access and DVR camera monitoring throughout the facility. Cooling runs on a Liebert system with 100-ton capacity.
Quonix manages bandwidth on a monthly commit basis, allowing businesses to scale from 1 Mbps on a burstable 100 Mbps pipe up to dedicated 100 Mbps handoffs.
How to Choose Between Pennsylvania Data Centers
Start by identifying what your business actually needs. Consider these factors:
- Connectivity requirements. How many carriers do you need access to? Do you need direct cloud on-ramps to AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud?
- Compliance obligations. Does your industry require HIPAA, PCI, or SOC 2 compliance?
- Power density. High-performance computing and AI workloads may need 20kW or more per cabinet.
- Growth plans. Can the facility accommodate expansion as your infrastructure needs increase?
- Geographic redundancy. If you already have facilities in Northern Virginia or New York, a Pennsylvania location adds diversity to your footprint.
Tour the facilities before signing any contracts. See the security measures in person, meet the operations team, and ask about their response times for support requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose a Pennsylvania data center over one in Northern Virginia?
Geographic diversity reduces risk. Concentrating all your infrastructure in one region exposes you to localized disasters, power grid issues, or fiber cuts. Pennsylvania offers strategic positioning between New York and Virginia with access to major fiber routes at often lower costs than facilities in more saturated markets.
What does “carrier-neutral” mean for a data center?
A carrier-neutral facility allows you to connect with any network provider rather than being limited to a single carrier chosen by the data center operator. This gives you more negotiating power, better pricing options, and the flexibility to add or change providers as your needs evolve.
How do I know if a data center is reliable?
Look for third-party certifications like SSAE 16 SOC 2, uptime SLAs (ideally 99.99% or higher), redundant power systems (2N is better than N+1), backup generator capacity with substantial fuel reserves, and location outside flood zones. Ask about their track record during past storms or grid failures.
What is a Meet-Me-Room?
A Meet-Me-Room (MMR) is a designated space within a data center where different network providers can physically connect their equipment to exchange data. This allows businesses to cross-connect with multiple carriers and cloud providers without paying local loop fees to run cables outside the building.
How much does Pennsylvania data center colocation cost?
Pricing varies significantly based on power requirements, cabinet count, and service levels. Single cabinets typically start around $500-$1,500 per month, while cages and private suites run considerably higher. Request quotes from multiple providers with your specific requirements to get accurate pricing.
Can I visit a data center before signing a contract?
Yes, and you should. Reputable data centers welcome tours for prospective customers. Visiting lets you verify security measures, see the condition of the facility, and meet the team who will be supporting your infrastructure.