Networks of New York

1. The Internet is a tangible part of the urban landscape.

Networks of New York is a guide for practicing the everyday magic of seeing the Internet as part of a city’s landscape and everyday life.

Everyday magic. The Internet isn't just a virtual realm; it's deeply embedded in the physical infrastructure of cities. By learning to recognize the signs, we can see the Internet as a tangible part of our everyday environment. This involves shifting our perspective to notice the often-overlooked elements that make up the network.

Beyond screens. Most people experience the Internet through screens, but the physical infrastructure that supports it is all around us. This includes:

• Cables buried beneath the streets
• Antennae on rooftops
• Data centers in nondescript buildings

Practical magic. Recognizing the Internet's physical presence allows us to understand its impact on our lives and the city around us. It transforms the mundane into something extraordinary, revealing the hidden systems that shape our daily experiences.

2. Networks build upon the infrastructure of the past.

In the United States, communications networks tend to be built on top of existing networks—fiber optic cable routes follow telephone routes, which in turn follow telegraph routes.

Inherited landscapes. Modern networks often follow the paths of older technologies, such as telegraph and telephone lines. This layering of infrastructure creates a historical record beneath our feet, with each new technology building upon the foundations of the past. This is not unique to the US, but is especially pronounced in older American cities.

Legacy systems. Buildings once crucial to the telegraph system now house fiber optic cables and satellite receivers. This reuse of existing infrastructure makes practical sense, but it also means that the Internet's physical form is shaped by the decisions and technologies of previous generations.

Evolving networks. Understanding this historical context helps us appreciate how networks evolve over time. It also highlights the importance of considering the long-term implications of our current infrastructure choices.

3. Access to networks is not evenly distributed.

But that hopeful promise associated with an expanding Internet depends on equal access to it, and as examples in this field guide demonstrate, network access isn’t necessarily evenly distributed to everyone.

Digital divide. Despite the promise of universal connectivity, access to the Internet is not evenly distributed. Factors such as income, location, and corporate priorities can create disparities in access to high-speed broadband. This is a persistent problem in many cities, including New York.

Private ownership. When private companies control most of the Internet infrastructure, there is little financial incentive to treat it as a public right. This can lead to underserved areas and unequal access to essential services.

Surveillance and control. Networked technologies can also limit freedom, particularly for minority populations. Surveillance systems in cities often target specific communities, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

4. Street markings reveal the hidden world of underground cables.

Whenever a contractor or construction company plans to do street excavation, they have to call 811, the nationwide number for utility-locating services.

Urban markdown language. Colorful markings on the street indicate the presence of underground utilities, including communications cables. These markings are intended for construction crews, but they can also be used to reverse engineer the locations of buried networks.

Standardized color code. The American Public Works Association (APWA) recommends a standardized color code for street markings. Orange indicates "communications, alarm, signal lines, cables, and conduit," revealing the presence of Internet, television, and telephone lines.

Temporary tapestries. These markings are temporary and fade over time, creating a haphazard tapestry of excavation history on city streets. By learning to decipher these markings, we can gain insight into the hidden infrastructure beneath our feet.

5. Manhole covers and handholes offer clues to network ownership.

Manhole covers are a literal point of entry into the city’s underground world and their designs indicate what part of that world they connect to (e.g., the power grid, the gas system, or the telecommunications network).

Points of entry. Manhole covers provide access to the city's underground infrastructure, and their designs often indicate the type of network they connect to. These covers can reveal the presence of telecommunications, power, or gas lines.

Corporate logos. Some manhole covers feature the logos of telecommunications companies, offering clues to network ownership. However, corporate mergers and acquisitions can make it difficult to determine the current owner of the underlying infrastructure.

Generic markings. Generic manhole covers simply identify the use for the cables below as some kind of "communication." These covers lack specific company branding, but they still indicate the presence of underground networks.

6. Ground-level infrastructure connects homes and businesses.

Within these boxes are thousands of wires and cables for telephone, television, and the Internet, all coming from nearby buildings.

Junction boxes. Gray and green boxes on the street serve as switching stations for home cable connections. These boxes contain thousands of wires and cables for telephone, television, and the Internet, connecting nearby buildings to the underground network.

Open manholes. Observing people working in open telecommunications manholes can provide insight into the maintenance and expansion of underground networks. The types of vehicles, equipment, and cables visible at the site can indicate the nature of the work being performed.

Fiber splice enclosures. Inside open manholes, large cylinders called fiber splice enclosures connect different fiber optic cables. These enclosures are essential for joining cables and maintaining the integrity of the network.

7. Carrier hotels are the physical hubs of the Internet.

Racks and racks of switching equipment and cables run through these buildings, which are also sometimes called “Internet exchanges” or “meet-me rooms” since it’s where networks meet one another.

Waystations for data. Carrier hotels are buildings that house crucial pieces of Internet infrastructure, serving as waystations for data traffic. These buildings are where different ISPs and network companies connect with one another.

Internet exchanges. Carrier hotels are also known as "Internet exchanges" or "meet-me rooms" because they facilitate the exchange of data between different networks. Racks of switching equipment and cables run through these buildings, enabling seamless communication.

Historical landmarks. Many carrier hotels are located in buildings with a rich history in telecommunications, such as 60 Hudson Street and 32 Avenue of the Americas. These buildings represent the evolution of network infrastructure over time.

8. Wireless infrastructure enables mobile connectivity.

If the phone is close to a cellular tower with an antenna that connects to that phone’s particular carrier, it connects to the network via that antenna.

Cell towers. Cell towers transmit and receive radio signals, enabling mobile devices to connect to the Internet. These towers are often disguised or located on rooftops to minimize their visual impact.

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). DAS are used to expand a cell network's reach and add capacity in under-covered areas. These systems are attached to street poles and linked to underground fiber optic networks.

Microwave antennae. Microwave antennae transmit data wirelessly, providing broadband services to businesses and other users. These antennae are often located on rooftops or attached to cell towers.

9. Surveillance systems are increasingly integrated into city networks.

Starting around 2006, NYPD began equipping some NYPD cars with Automated License Plate Readers (APLRs), devices that photograph and store records of license plates of vehicles on the street.

Traffic cameras. Traffic cameras operated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) monitor traffic conditions. These cameras provide live streams of footage available online.

NYPD cameras. The New York City Police Department operates thousands of surveillance cameras as part of a program called Argus. These cameras communicate wirelessly and are used for law enforcement purposes.

Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). ALPRs photograph and store records of license plates of vehicles on the street. The NYPD uses ALPRs to track stolen vehicles and monitor traffic patterns.

Last updated: March 6, 2025