Approximating the geographical characteristics of internet activity

Abstract

Capturing the flow of information between cities is a challenging task. Historically, flow analyses have focused on goods, capital, and people, all of which can serve as proxies for estimating the volume of spatial interaction between places. However, with the advent of the Internet and its ability to both facilitate and accelerate the exchange of information, it is somewhat surprising that so few studies have examined the geographical characteristics of Internet flows. Aside from the initial challenges associated in acquiring network flow data, there are additional constraints inhibiting such efforts, including privacy concerns, the geographic rectification of flows, and the ability to manage and visualize massive datasets. The purpose of this paper is to outline a basic methodology for capturing Internet flow data and to provide a brief empirical analysis of these data for the Internet2 network in the United States. Results suggest that asymmetries exist between ingress and egress connectivity and flows throughout the United States. © 2011 by The Society of Urban Technology.