IXPs in Africa and Beyond - Jane Coffin -The Internet Society - TunIXP workshop - session 2 - 29-04-2013, Tunis

1. www.internetsociety.org
IXPs in Africa and Beyond
Jane Coffin
The Internet Society
April 2013
Tunis
IXP Workshop

2. The Internet Society
Agenda
• Introduction to the Internet Society
• The Role and Effect of IXPs
• Formula for Internet Development
• ITE in Action

3. The Internet Society
Global
Thought-leader
Trusted
Internet Advocate
Dedicated
TransparentAccessible
Authoritative
Credible
Sharing
Consultative
Cause-drivenMultistakeholder
Open
Connecting
Independent
Responsive
Collaborative
Experienced

4. www.internetsociety.org
Our Mission
To promote the open development,
evolution, and use of the Internet for
the benefit of all people throughout
the world.

5. The Internet Society
The Internet Society at Work
To achieve our mission, the Internet Society:
Provides
leadership in policy
issues
Advocates open
Internet Standards
Promotes Internet
technologies that
matter
Develops Internet
infrastructure
Undertakes
outreach that
changes lives
Recognizes
industry leaders

6. The Internet Society
Global Presence
91
Chapters
Worldwide
70000+
Individual
Members
146
Organization
Members
5
Regional
Bureaus
17
Countries with
ISOC Offices
NORTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
EUROPE
AFRICA
THE MIDDLE EAST
ASIA

7. The Internet Society
Africa 25 Chapters | 11,705 members
Benin
Burundi
Cameroon
Chad
Congo
Cote d'Ivoire
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Gambia
Ghana
Kenya
Liberia
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda

8. The Internet Society
How We Work
Operating at the intersection of
policy, technology, and
development allows the Internet
Society to be a thought leader
on issues key to the Internet’s
continued growth and evolution.
Technology
Development
Policy

9. The Internet Society
Our Global and Regional Mission and
Achievements
Given the complexity, cross-disciplinary, and global nature of the
issues we address, the Internet Society advances its work on a
cross-organizational, geographically broad basis
This allows us to apply a range of knowledge, expertise, and
capacities to advance our objectives locally, regionally, and globally
By working with a range of partners from non-profit agencies, local
and global NGOs, academia, technologists, local councils, federal
policy and decision makers, business and more, we want to make
sure that the voice, expertise, and imagination of the different
communities can continue to develop the Internet

10. The Internet Society
Regionalization
Our regionalization strategy, spearheaded by our
Regional Bureaus, extends the Internet Society's reach,
influence, and reputation as a truly global organization
by building our local relevance, legitimacy, and
credibility, while strengthening our impact at the local
level
Our Regional Bureaus play a key role in driving a full
range of operational activities such as policy,
technology, capacity building, membership and
business development in a manner tailored to unique
local needs.
29 April 201310

11. The Internet Society
Key Projects and Priorities in the Regions - 2013
29 April 201311

12. www.internetsociety.org
The Role and Effect of IXPS
12

13. The Internet Society
Role of IXPs
13
• A primary role of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is to keep
local Internet traffic within local infrastructure and to the
reduce costs associated with traffic exchange between
networks.
• improve the quality of Internet services and drive demand
in by reducing delay and improving end-user experience
• convenient hub for attracting hosting key Internet
infrastructures within countries
• Catalyst for overall Internet
development
• Not limited to commercial ISPs,
wide rage network or data service
can benefit from participating
• E-Gov, Universities, etc.

14. The Internet Society
IXPs Around the World
14
Source: TeleGeography World IX Map, http://www.internetexchangemap.com/

15. The Internet Society
Africa and Latin America Leading Annual
IXP Growth Rates
15
Source: Kende, M., Report for the Internet Society:
How the Internet continues to sustain growth and innovation, October 2012
Data from Packet Clearing House and AnalysysMason estimates

16. The Internet Society
Measuring the Benefits and Impacts of IXPs:
Kenya and Nigeria Case Study"
• Reduced latency increasing performance and driving demand -- Especially for data-heavy
applications, including video
#
• Direct savings on international transit ($1.5M p.a. Kenya, $1M Nigeria)#
• Benefits facilitating e-government and education services -- e.g. Kenya Revenue Authority, West
African Examination Council
#
• Catalyzing local hosting and content industry -- Repatriation of financial platforms in Nigeria, Data
center investment in Kenya
#
• Increased mobile data market by an estimated $6 million in Kenya; KIXP is attracting regional traffic#

17. The Internet Society
Building Participation Incentives Beyond Peering Value
17
Internet Root Servers Mirrors
ccTLD / gTLD servers
Network Time Servers
Network Monitoring Tools
Increased quality of service
Local service resiliency
Getting to peering participation
break-even can be a challenge in
some markets
“Value-added” services and other
performance enhancing benefits can
provide incentives

18. The Internet Society
CDN Caches: Localizing International Content"
• In addition to creating local
hosting, local cashing of
Content Delivery Network
content is a key opportunity.
• Implementation of Google
Caches and pops has had an
impact on local traffic growth
• Localized Google traffic
represents more than 50% of
traffic exchanged at KIXP and
IXPN
• CDNs report that the
existence of a robust IXP is a
key decision factor in
decision making on cache/
pop locations
EPF-7 Malta 17- 19 Sept, 2012#
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Mar-03 Dec-05 Sep-08 Jun-11
M
b
it/s
00
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Dec-06 Dec-07 Dec-08 Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11
M
b
it/s
IXPN
KIXP

19. The Internet Society
Formula for Development:
What kind of infrastructure is needed for an IXP?
19
Physical
Infrastructure
Human
Infrastructure
Governance
Infrastructure
• Important to think of IXPs
beyond the “Boxes and
Wires”
• 3 types of infrastructure
• Physical
• Governance
• Human
• IXP projects are most
vulnerable when the key
focus is on physical
infrastructure
• Human infrastructure and
capacity building is the key
driver of success and
sustainability

20. The Internet Society
Physical Infrastructure
20
KIXP – Kenya
LIXP – Lesotho
IXPs need not be expensive
to be effective.
The London Internet
Exchange, the now the
largest IXP in the world,
started with 5 members on a
donated switch.
IXPN - Nigeria

21. The Internet Society
Governance Infrastructure
21
• Not-for-profit, member-driven governance model is most
common globally
§ From small IXPs to some of the largest in the world. For-profit/
commercial IXPs generally limited to exceptionally strong markets.
• Neutrality and transparency are key
• Including IXP not competing with its members/participants,
• Inclusive policies and processes
§ Encourage NRENs, e-Gov Networks, etc.
§ Sustain member engagement / development beyond start-up, vision
for the future.
• Mandatory Multilateral Peering vs Bilateral Peering Policy

22. The Internet Society
Human Infrastructure
22
• The most important factor for
start-up and sustainability.
• Understanding the value
proposition
• Trust and relationship building is essential
• Technical Capacity Building
• Both at the network operator/IXP participant level and the IXP operations
level.
• Building local and regional communities of practice to sustain
and grow knowledge. International cooperation.
• Reducing the information asymmetry to empower local and
international opportunities
IXP 80/20: “80% Social Engineering, 20% Technical Engineering”#

23. The Internet Society
Keeping IXPs in Context…
23
§ IXPs can be a catalyst of a robust Internet environment and market.
§ Many other issues are involved in promoting a robust interconnection
and traffic exchange environment in a country / region.#
§ Barriers and bottlenecks along the service chain are various and
challenging:#
– Backhaul and Leased Capacity#
§ More costly to send traffic from Abuja to Lagos, than Lagos to London. Cape Town
to Jo’burg similar#
– Cross-border connectivity, policy and licensing issues#
– International gateways, landing stations#
§ With falling international capacity prices (including around Africa), there is also
opportunity to take advantage of international peering opportunities. #
§ ISOCs situates its IXP work within the broader interconnection and traffic
exchange (ITE) context. #

24. Interconnection and Traffic Exchange (ITE):
Programmes and Projects
24

25. The Internet Society
Need for Capacity Building
• An IXP benefits from network
effects – the more members
it has, the more valuable it
becomes to join the IXP in
order to be able to exchange
traffic with the existing
members
• As a result, a well-run IXP
providing such benefits can
develop critical mass,
becoming home to many or
all of the ISPs and content
providers in the country, and
bringing significant benefits
to its members and the
surrounding ecosystem
25
Photos: © Internet Society/Shoot the Earth/ Nyani Quarmyne

26. The Internet Society
Advancing the Value and Viability of IXPs "
Level “0”
No IXP
Level 1
“Boxes and Wires”
Level 2
Core Functionality
Level 3
Catalysing Growth
Level 4
Thriving, Critical Infrastructure
• Not all at the same level
of development!
• Most current IXPs only
between “Level 1 and 2”
• We aim to move IXPs
“Up the Curve!”
EPF-7 Malta 17- 19 Sept, 2012#

27. The Internet Society
ITE
Our Interconnection and Traffic Exchange (ITE) Programme is multifaceted, and
aims to address a broad range of challenges related to improving the situation
in these countries. Activities under the ITE Programme include:
• Assisting universities, government network operators, and ISPs to gain the world-
class knowledge and skills needed to build reliable, cost-effective, and
interconnected networks,
• Assisting the launch of new Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in developing
economies, and helping stakeholders maximize the use of IXPs already in place,
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborations on these issues, including initiating and
organizing the African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF)
http://www.internetsociety.org/events/african-peering-and-interconnection-forum-afpif) and
supporting the Latin American and Caribbean IXP Association (Lac-IX), and
• Assisting policy-makers and regulators to develop approaches to expand the Internet and to
create a beneficial interconnection and traffic exchange landscape.
27

28. The Internet Society
Examples of ITE Work
ISOC’s expertise and experience in ITE includes the
following (II):
• Technical training on the establishment, operation, and
administration of IXPs, including providing a training kit,
traveling technical laboratory, and relevant follow-up
workshops
• Studies and Reports Financial/equipment support for the
establishment of IXPs
• Convener/Facilitator of multi-stakeholder buy-in and
cooperation
28

29. www.internetsociety.org
ITE in Action"
a 17- 19 Sept, 2012#

30. The Internet Society
IXP Toolkit & Best Practices Project
• The Internet Society has been awarded a grant by
Google.org to extend its Internet exchange point (IXP)
activities in emerging markets.
• The grant builds on the Internet Society’s previous
efforts and will create a:
• Toolkit: Study and methodology to assess IXPs
• IXP “Portal”
• Training

31. The Internet Society
ITE in Action: “Lifting Barriers” Study
§ Follow-on report that
focuses on other factors
needed to create an
“enabling” Internet
environment.
§ More needed to be said –
not only IXPs
§ Timing – global attention
§ Benefit – shift the focus to
multiple factors that
contribute to connectivity
31
Photos: © Internet Society/Shoot the Earth/ Nyani Quarmyne

32. www.internetsociety.org
Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum
(AfPIF)"
a 17- 19 Sept, 2012#

33. The Internet Society
AfPIF
• The African Peering and Interconnection Forum addresses the
key interconnection, peering, and traffic exchange opportunities
and challenges on the continent and provides participants with
global and regional insights for maximising opportunities that
will help grow Internet infrastructure and services in Africa
• AfPIF aims to foster national and cross-border interconnection
opportunities by providing a forum where key players from
infrastructure and service providers, IXPs, regulators and policy
makers can engage in a relaxed but business like environment,
sharing their experiences and learning from experts in the field
• AfPIF – 4: 2013 Date and Location - 3 - 5 September, 2013 -
Casablanca, Morocco
http://www.internetsociety.org/events/afpif-2013-3-5-
september-2013

34. The Internet Society
AfPIF-3 Southern Africa"
EPF-7 Malta 17- 19 Sept, 2012#
• New format: 3 day event (Day 1 - peering
coordinators/Days 2 and 3 - forum discussions)
• Operators from Cape-town to Cairo
• Theme “Addressing Africa’s Internet Transit
Deficit”
• Over 200 participants from 33 countries
• 11 Sub-Saharan IXPs present

35. The Internet Society
AfPIF – 3 Major announcements
• Agreement between 11
IXPs in Africa to work
towards establishing
the African IXP
Association: “AF-IX”"
• Twinning of MOZIX with
Netnod under the Euro-
IX twinning program"
• Partnership between
AMSIX and KIXP - IXP
in Mombasa"
35
Photos: © Internet Society/Shoot the Earth/ Nyani Quarmyne

36. www.internetsociety.org
African Internet Exchange System
(AXIS)"
a 17- 19 Sept, 2012#

37. The Internet Society
AXIS
• The Internet Society has been contracted by the African
Union to conduct 60 capacity building workshops in 30
African Union Member States that do not have IXPs (AXIS
Phase I)
§ 30+ Best Practice Workshops and community mobilization
§ 30+ Technical Aspects workshops (hands-on)
• The AXIS project supports the establishment of a
continental African internet infrastructure.
• The overall AXIS project aims to create an African internet
system by setting up:
§ Internet exchange points in 33 African countries
§ five regional internet hubs
§ five regional and three continental internet carriers

38. www.internetsociety.org
The Internet Society
Jane Coffin
coffin@isoc.org