Urban connectivity is the foundation of every smart city initiative, from intelligent transportation systems to real-time air quality monitoring. IIoT World analyzed the most connected cities in the United States based on four key pillars developed by OpenPhone: Internet Connectivity, Connected Devices, Transportation Connections, and Business Connections.
OpenPhone analyzed the largest US cities across four pillars that enable connections and growth:
- Internet Connectivity
- Connected Devices
- Transportation Connections
- Business Connections
7 of the top 25 most connected cities are on the west coast. These cities benefit from an established climate of innovative companies and all the digital connectivity that comes with it. From #4 Portland‘s Nike to #6 Seattle‘s Amazon (we’re not forgetting its four-story office in #5 Irvine). While #3 San Francisco is the nerve center for startup culture. The City by the Bay has quadrupled the number of startup incubator programs as the next largest city, New York City, and earned the highest score in the Business Connections category.
California alone is home to five of the top 25 most connected cities, the aforementioned San Francisco and Irvine, plus #15 San Jose, #20 Los Angeles, and #25 San Diego.
Three of the top 25 cities are in Florida, a state that has been hitting the headlines over the past few years as a new hub for technology and innovation. Florida added more tech companies in 2021 than any other state, and #1 ranked Orlando’s local startup scene is finally blossoming. #17 Miami scored perfectly in the Internet Connection category. The city has the most free WiFi hotspots per capita of all cities included in the ranking, with nine for every 1,000 residents. #12 Tampa also makes the list.
#19 Atlanta is famous for being home to one of the world’s busiest airports. In 2021, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) served 75,704,760 air passengers. What may be a surprise is the city’s abundance of electric charge stations. It’s no wonder the city scored perfectly for Transportation Connections.
Read the full article here.
FAQ
1. Which city ranks number one among the most connected cities in the USA, and why?
Orlando ranks number one. Florida added more tech companies in 2021 than any other state, and Orlando has a blossoming local startup scene. Three Florida cities made the top 25: Orlando (#1), Tampa (#12), and Miami (#17).
2. Why does San Francisco rank so highly in the Business Connections category?
San Francisco (#3 overall) earned the highest score in the Business Connections category because it has quadrupled the number of startup incubator programs compared to the next largest city, New York City. The city serves as the center of startup culture in the United States.
3. Which city scored a perfect mark for Transportation Connections?
Atlanta (#19) scored perfectly for Transportation Connections. The city is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which served 75,704,760 air passengers in 2021. Atlanta’s abundance of electric charge stations also contributed to its perfect score.
