American Tower Corp Enhances Cloud Capabilities with 400G AWS Direct Connect in Chicago
1. Transforming Data Center Services for AI and Enterprise Applications
On January 15, 2026, CoreSite, an American Tower company (NYSE: AMT), made a significant announcement that is set to bolster cloud and AI performance for businesses operating within its data center ecosystem. The launch of native 400 Gbps (400G) Amazon Web Services (AWS) Direct Connect at its Chicago data center campus marks a pivotal development for enterprises requiring high-bandwidth and low-latency solutions for performance-intensive workloads.
A Strategic Move for Enhanced Connectivity
The introduction of 400G AWS Direct Connect enables CoreSite's customers to establish robust data pipelines that enhance performance, security, and integration across their digital landscapes. This innovation is particularly critical for sectors such as cybersecurity and financial services, where speed and reliability are paramount.
Juan Font, President and CEO of CoreSite and Senior Vice President of American Tower, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “The AI economy developing within CoreSite’s data centers demands a high level of interoperability between enterprises, AI applications, neoclouds, and public cloud providers.” He further highlighted that the new capabilities provide unique advantages for customers, allowing them to harness low-latency, high-bandwidth connections that can significantly improve operational efficiency.
Benefits for Diverse Industries
CoreSite's 400G connectivity is already making waves among its client base, particularly for a leading cybersecurity provider that is utilizing AWS 400G Direct Connect to manage large data volumes and enhance real-time threat analysis capabilities. Additionally, financial services firms are exploring the 400G option to meet the demands of latency-sensitive trading and quantitative research.
The new connectivity service not only optimizes performance but also allows for substantial cost savings. CoreSite claims that by leveraging direct interconnection, customers can achieve data replication savings of up to 70% and eliminate data egress costs when restoring data from specific local cloud availability zones.
Expanding the Network Footprint
With this latest launch, CoreSite now offers 400G AWS Direct Connect at three key locations: Chicago, Illinois; Santa Clara, California; and Reston, Virginia. This expansion underscores CoreSite's commitment to providing a comprehensive and interconnected data center platform that supports the increasing demands of AI and high-density applications.
Facilitating Hybrid IT Modernization
The Chicago data center campus not only provides 400G AWS Direct Connect but also features dense fiber access and high-density colocation capacity. These attributes are designed to accelerate hybrid IT modernization efforts and allow customers to operationalize AI at scale, a critical endeavor as businesses continue to digitize their operations.
Conclusion
American Tower’s CoreSite division is at the forefront of transforming data connectivity for businesses navigating the complexities of the modern digital landscape. With the launch of 400G AWS Direct Connect in Chicago, companies can expect improved performance, enhanced security, and remarkable cost efficiencies, positioning themselves to thrive in the AI-driven economy. As the demand for high-bandwidth solutions grows, CoreSite remains committed to empowering its customers with the tools they need to succeed.
