Broadcast Media Africa has learnt that the Coalition for Digital Africa has launched an Internet Exchange Point Initiative. This is aimed at strengthening the internet infrastructure across the continent.
According to the body, this latest initiative will focus on enhancing five existing Internet exchange points (IXPs) to improve Internet access by making it faster and more affordable, positively impacting Internet users in the regions they are placed in.
The Coalition for Digital Africa is an initiative created by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that aims to bring more Africans online by supporting the development of robust and secure Internet infrastructure in Africa. IXPs enable the exchange of Internet traffic locally and are essential for any region aspiring to participate fully in the global Internet economy.
The Coalition notes that well-managed IXPs open new worlds of possibilities, with a modest investment, by improving local Internet services and reducing their costs.
Sally Costerton, Interim President and CEO of ICANN, said, “IXPs make Internet access cheaper and more reliable. They are a critical resource in making sure the Internet is for everyone. The Internet Society is grateful for this investment to help bring Internet access to more people throughout the continent.”
“The initiative is another in a series of initiatives aimed at improving accessibility to the Internet under the auspices of the Coalition for Digital Africa,” notes Andrew Sullivan, President and CEO of ISOC.
The Coalition for Digital Africa comprises governments, regional and international organizations, and the local Internet community. Conceived by ICANN, the Coalition for Digital Africa is an alliance of like-minded organizations committed to building robust and secure Internet infrastructure to bring more Africans online.
