Re: Tanzanian ISPs move closer to establishing an Internet exchange

[Brian Candler <B.Candler at pobox.com>]

On Tue, May 13, 2003 at 04:17:21PM +0300, John Tully wrote:
> 
> It seems a difficult number to estimate, but you can be sure that the 
> dollar cost of not having a local IX in Africa is much much more expensive 
> than the same issue for a US or European ISP.

Against that must be weighed:
- the cost of getting a circuit to the IX (especially if the local
  infrastructure is poor-quality copper only, and local leased lines in
  Africa can be very expensive)
- the cost of extra equipment at the IX
- the cost of IX administration (shared between members)

which generally means that you have to get above a certain size before it
becomes economically feasible to join an IX.

I don't dispute that IXes are good things. But you should beware
exaggeration, as it only weakens the argument. I imagine that if there was
$400m being poured down a drain every year, there would be people ready to
get their hands on it. Building an IX would be an attractive commercial
proposition.

Cheers,

Brian.

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