Ghana Internet Exchange
Encyclopedia
The Ghana Internet eXchange (GIX) is an Internet exchange point
which serves Internet
traffic in Ghana
. GIX allows local Internet service provider
s and network operators to easily exchange traffic within Ghana, while improving connectivity and services for their customers. GIX was officially launched October 18, 2005 at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
The GIX home page states: "The GIX is run and operated by the Ghana Internet eXchange Association (GIXA), an independent non-profit corporation established by the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) and other stakeholders interested in joining and growing the GIX. While the GIX is a facility (router and switch) housed at the Ghana India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence, the GIXA is the community of operators (ISPs and Network Operators) who are connected and owners. GISPA is a professional, non-profit trade association
representing the interest of ISPs and those interested in the provision of Internet service. The structure of the GIXA (GIX) is such that non-members of GISPA can also connect to the exchange. Hence it is open to all carriers (operators) who may want to exchange traffic locally.
"GISPA has been the lead organisation facilitating the establishment of the GIXA and the GIX in collaboration with other institutions who have contributed significantly such as Ministry of Communication (MoC), National Communication Authority (NCA), Ghana India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (AITI-KACE), Geekcorps, Packet Clearing House (PCH), African Internet Service Providers Association (AfrISPA), Ghana Network Information Centre (GhNIC), NTIC of the French Government through the French Embassy in Ghana French Embassy in Ghana and its members who have donated resources, time and money in various forms."
Internet Exchange Point
An Internet exchange point is a physical infrastructure through which Internet service providers exchange Internet traffic between their networks . IXPs reduce the portion of an ISP's traffic which must be delivered via their upstream transit providers, thereby reducing the average per-bit...
which serves Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
traffic in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. GIX allows local Internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
s and network operators to easily exchange traffic within Ghana, while improving connectivity and services for their customers. GIX was officially launched October 18, 2005 at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
The GIX home page states: "The GIX is run and operated by the Ghana Internet eXchange Association (GIXA), an independent non-profit corporation established by the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) and other stakeholders interested in joining and growing the GIX. While the GIX is a facility (router and switch) housed at the Ghana India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence, the GIXA is the community of operators (ISPs and Network Operators) who are connected and owners. GISPA is a professional, non-profit trade association
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
representing the interest of ISPs and those interested in the provision of Internet service. The structure of the GIXA (GIX) is such that non-members of GISPA can also connect to the exchange. Hence it is open to all carriers (operators) who may want to exchange traffic locally.
"GISPA has been the lead organisation facilitating the establishment of the GIXA and the GIX in collaboration with other institutions who have contributed significantly such as Ministry of Communication (MoC), National Communication Authority (NCA), Ghana India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (AITI-KACE), Geekcorps, Packet Clearing House (PCH), African Internet Service Providers Association (AfrISPA), Ghana Network Information Centre (GhNIC), NTIC of the French Government through the French Embassy in Ghana French Embassy in Ghana and its members who have donated resources, time and money in various forms."