Jamaica sets up Internet Exchange Point for Freer, Faster Access

KINGSTON, Jamaica November 14, 2014 – The Jamaican Government  has established an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) which will reduce the cost of  internet use to Jamaicans while having faster access.

Minister of Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell told the National Medal for Science, Technology and Innovation Awards ceremony on Wednesday, that the IXP, hosted at eGOV Jamaica Limited, will further contribute to the development of a more stable, competitive, cost efficient and robust Information Communication Technology (ICT) and broadband ecosystem in Jamaica.

“We now have this exchange point that will enable all internal Internet transactions to take place in Jamaica without having to leave our shores. We expect to see some price reductions… we expect our local content developers see this as a tremendous opportunity to provide content locally. We see this as a tremendous opportunity to get our people now to have freer, and swifter access to the Internet,” Mr. Paulwell said.

An Internet exchange point (IX or IXP) is a physical infrastructure through which Internet service providers (ISPs) exchange Internet traffic between their networks. The Jamaica IXP project which was started in January, will enable Jamaica's Internet traffic to be routed within the country where the provision now exists, instead of through external providers as currently obtains.

Meanwhile, Mr. Paulwell will be travelling to Wuzhen, China, next week to participate in the World Internet Conference which is being held from November 19 to 21, 2014.

He said he would be using the meeting to reaffirm Jamaica’s position on the liberalisation of the Internet and its increasing use in the island’s development.

“We are going to China, with a clear position that we should not interfere with the Internet; let it remain free (and) accessible to all. Let us not put any charges to the Internet and let countries like ours …. have the opportunity to be on the same level as others,” Mr. Paulwell said.

The event aims to discuss global Internet governance, cyber security, the role of the Internet to promote economic and social development, and technological innovation in the field.