Fifteenfortyseven Critical Systems Realty (1547) is building on years of network activity in South Texas with the launch of the McAllen Internet Exchange (MCT-IX) and a series of infrastructure expansions at Chase Tower in downtown McAllen. Together, these developments reflect how the region’s role as a U.S.–Mexico connectivity point continues to take shape.
MCT-IX is deployed inside the 1547-owned Chase Tower, long recognized as the primary carrier hotel and aggregation point for cross-border network traffic in McAllen. By placing the exchange directly within this established ecosystem, MCT-IX creates a natural place for networks to exchange traffic locally and has secured formal ARIN recognition under ASN AS402079. Early port commitments from participating networks mark the initial phase of onboarding and signal early interest from the existing ecosystem.
The launch of MCT-IX builds on a year of sustained growth inside Chase Tower, which has seen new carrier deployments, capacity expansions from long-standing partners, and rising cross-connect activity throughout 2025. To support this momentum and maintain the building’s role as the region’s primary network interconnection hub, 1547 has invested more than $6 million in critical infrastructure upgrades, including backup power, elevators, fire and life safety systems, and a comprehensive HVAC overhaul.
Beyond core building upgrades, 1547 is expanding its interconnection infrastructure with a new meet-me room and a dedicated carrier room designed to serve dozens of carrier cabinets. These additions are intended to simplify how networks connect with one another, with MCT-IX, and with the broader Chase Tower ecosystem. To meet future demand from both data center tenants and MCT-IX participants, 1547 is currently developing 500 kilowatts of additional colocation capacity inside the tower, along with a 3 megawatt, 13,000-square-foot dedicated data center annex targeted for completion in Q4 2026.
MCT-IX is designed to address a long-standing challenge in the region, where cross-border connectivity has traditionally relied on upstream routes that leave McAllen before reaching their destination. By enabling a more localized peering option, the exchange gives networks greater control over routing efficiency and performance, while supporting route diversity and resiliency.
“Announcing MCT-IX is an important milestone for both 1547 and the McAllen market,” said J. Todd Raymond, CEO and Managing Director of 1547. “With formal ARIN recognition and early port commitments already underway, it is clear there is strong demand for an Internet Exchange that builds on the long-established interconnection ecosystem inside Chase Tower. As owners of the carrier hotel, we are committed to supporting this next phase of growth.”
As interconnection activity continues to increase, 1547’s leadership sees MCT-IX as a natural extension of what is already happening inside Chase Tower. “Across Chase Tower, we are seeing measurable increases in interconnection activity, from new deployments to expanded capacity and growing interest in route diversity,” said John Bonczek, Chief Revenue Officer of 1547. “MCT-IX aligns with the needs of the ecosystem inside the building and adds another layer of functionality as that activity continues to grow.”
Read the full release here.
