Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 04, 2017 (SKNIS): A two day symposium and technical workshop being held at the Ocean Terrace Inn from May 4-5, 2017, has sparked the conversation for the introduction of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) infrastructure in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Internet Exchange Point, simply put, is a physical infrastructure through which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) exchange internet traffic between their networks (Autonomous Systems).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the symposium and workshop, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Attorney General, The Honourable Vincent Byron, said “At one point, St. Kitts and Nevis was geared to be the first country in our sub-region in the OECS to have an IXP”. He also stated that minor setbacks halted the progress of this project and allowed other islands to come on stream, but that this workshop is the pivotal start to IXP infrastructure being developed in the Federation. The project is expected to be completed this year.
“The Government, over the next few weeks, will be launching a National Information and Communication Technology Centre (ITC) at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site,” said Attorney General Byron. He emphasized that there is need for having all the ITC facilities throughout the island under one roof. The facility will also be utilized for training and certification for both the public and private sector.
“It will be a centre where small start-up businesses can use the facilities (conference rooms, communications centre, meeting rooms) and have a base to do their business. I encourage young people and persons doing business to make use of the facilities,” said Attorney General Byron. He explained that the use of the facilities will incur a small cost but it would be beneficial for persons to use the facilities as opposed to working out of their homes. The facility will also be the home of the IXP infrastructure and a cybercrime desk.
Attorney General Byron thanked the facilitators of the workshop, but made special mention of Mr. Bevil Wooding for his efforts in assisting with a number of technological advancements in the region over the years.
“It is of tremendous value having an IXP here in St. Kitts to attract businesses who want to be more efficient with the delivery of their services,” said Attorney General Byron.
