"An Internet exchange point is the point where three or more Internet Service Providers interconnect to exchange traffic between their customers. IXPs are catalysts for internet-based economic activity and the development of local content and are considered fundamental to internet growth and development. IXP also benefits local consumers by providing faster experience for domestic online services. There are over three hundred internet exchange points across the world, but only three thus far in the Caribbean region. "
The above was extracted from the article "Trinidad IXP Symposium Bringing the Prospect of a Faster Internet Nearer" (see link:
http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com/articles/5580/1/Trinidad-IXP-Symposium-Brings-Prospect-of-a-Faster-Internet-Nearer/Page1.html)
I was at the CaribNOG meeting this week in St Lucia and a real eye opener for me is that internet traffic that is intended to traverse between TSTT and Flow has to be routed to Miami before the packets are interchanged across a common IXP subscribed to by both providers!
For those of us who may have the ability to whisper in the 'right ears' - our market deserves a local IXP. At the very least, these two major players in the market should agree to interconnect locally because what occurs now is not right.
The immediate benefits of an IXP between TSTT and Flow will be faster interconnects (think about who on Flow has high pings when your friend on TSTT is hosting) and of course a lower cost because the data does not have to flow across international borders and through someone else's exchange.
This should logically reflect in lower costs to us the consumer... but one miracle at a time.
Just my two cents...
NB: on a bright note, we may have an IXP locally before the end of the year, but my info on this is sketchy; can anyone share?
