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New Study Reveals How Internet Exchange Points Spur Internet Growth in Latin AmericaMONTEVIDEO, Uruguay --(Business Wire)-- The Internet Society recently published the results of a study that demonstrates the far-reaching economic and societal benefits of establishing Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in emerging markets. The study, commissioned by the Internet Society and conducted by Professor Hernan Galperin of the Universidad de San Andrés in Argentina, examined the critical cost and performance benefits of IXPs in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador - countries on the leading edge of Internet growth in Latin America. Analogous with the role that international airports play in airline traffic, IXPs serve as critical hubs for data traffic exchange in the global Internet infrastructure. Over 350 IXPs around the world enable local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Internet backbone carriers to efficiently and cost-effectively exchange Internet traffic. Many emerging markets do not have well-established IXPs, forcing domestic Internet traffic onto long-distance international links, resulting in significantly higher costs and quality of service challenges. This new study identifies the positive impact that IXPs have made, including reduced telecommunications costs, faster and better local data exchange, and local technical capacity development. For example:
Lead author of the study Hernan Galperin stated, "This report shows the important role that IXPs have played in the development of the Internet in Latin America. This role is likely to become more important as countries in the region address existing challenges such as network security, the improvement in the quality of services, and the reduction in access prices." The study was conducted as part of the Internet Society's Internet Traffic Exchange Programme. This programme aims to foster robust, efficient, and cost-effective Internet interconnection environments in emerging economies, and furthers the Internet Society's overall mission to promote the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world. The full study in English and Spanish is available for download at http://www.internetsociety.org/doc/connectivity-latin-america-and-caribbean-role-internet-exchange-points. Funding for this study was provided in part by Google (News - Alert) under the IXP Toolkit & Best Practices Grant Project. About the Internet Society The Internet Society is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership from around the world. With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone. For more information, visit www.internetsociety.org.
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