Internet Week, Johannesburg - SA 11th September 2002

Pan African Virtual Internet eXchange

Brian LongweTechnology Officer,Telecommunication Service Providers Of Kenyabrian@pure-id.com

Outline

Background The “Backbone” of the Internet? US Centric Traffic Flows

Problems for Regional Connectivity Poor performance High Costs

Solutions National Exchange Points Regional Exchange Points

PAVIX?

BackgroundIS the USA really the backbone of the Internet?

Background US Centric Traffic Flows

Cumbersome!

Problems

Poor Performance on transfers between African countries 900 – 2000ms latency for Inter-

country traffic Heavy dependence on Inter-

Continental Satellite connectivity Insufficient internal optical fibre

connectivity Insufficient cross-border connectivity

Barriers

LegislationEconomicsSocio-Political AgendasInter-Provider Cooperation and Collaboration

Solutions National Exchange Points: Interconnecting Local ISPs

Local ISPs

Gateways

Internet Exchange Point

Keep Local Traffic Local!

Solutions

Regional Exchange Points: Interconnecting National IXs

PAVIX?

Pan African Virtual Internet eXchangeAny Peering/IX initiative involves 90% relational/social engineering and 10% technical engineeringPAVIX is at the Social/Political engineering stage…

PAVIX?

4 ISPAs have discussed and expressed Interest ISPA (SA) TESPOK (Kenya) TIXP (Tanzania) UIXP (Uganda)

PAVIX?

Is it possible? Is it necessary? Next Steps?

Thank You!