The document summarizes the establishment of the Papua New Guinea Internet Exchange Point (PNGIXP). It describes how NICTA and experts initially conducted a policy dialogue in 2014 to address high internet costs and regulatory challenges in PNG. This led to recommendations to establish a neutral IXP in Port Moresby. With support from the Internet Society and workshops, three internet service providers signed onto the PNGIXP Charter in 2015. The PNGIXP was then launched in 2017 with ongoing support from organizations like the Internet Society, APNIC, and content delivery network operators which has expanded internet access and reduced costs in PNG.

1. 12 September 2018
Noumea, New Caledonia

2. population
461,690 km2
80%
of population live in rural and
remote communities
70,000
fixed lines
2,000
fixed broadband
3.2 million
mobile subscribers
0.9 million
mobile broadband
8 million

3. • The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), with the
support of the Internet Society (ISOC) and key experts initially conducted a policy dialogue in
2014 concerning
– high cost of (retail) internet
– Key policy and regulatory challenges affecting the growth and development of
local internet in PNG
– the possibility of developing a neutral IXP for PNG
• the policy dialogue was conducted in Port Moresby seeking information, clarification and
understanding on the possible establishment of a neutral IXP for PNG.

4. • The following key issues were highlighted during the discussions:
i. IXP Development Perspectives
ii. Early Benefits of a neutral IXP
iii. Some Inefficiencies or Impediments faced by developing countries
iv. Current roadblocks for PNG

5. Taking into consideration the issues raised and outcome of the discussions from
stakeholders, the following recommendations were put forward as a consensus:
I. PNG to consider establishing a neutral ixp in one of its key cities – initially in Port
Moresby then Lae
II. Once decision is made to establish a neutral IXP with a clear mandate and
scope, a series of capacity building workshops to be planned with the support of
ISOC and key experts.

6. • In 2015 following the policy dialogue, NICTA facilitated a workshop for industry
stakeholders with a key objective, amongst others, to secure a minimum of three
(3) signatories from operators to the PNGIXP Charter as a demonstration of
industry’s commitment to gain ISOC’s support to the project.
• The PNGIXP Charter sets out the high level best practice principles by which the
PNGIXP will be managed and operated
• ISP’s Digitec, Bmobile and Global were among the first three (3) to sign the
Charter during this time.

7. • In early 2016, ISOC successfully conducted a best practice and technical
assistance workshop in support of the PNGIXP development. A key outcome of
this workshop, amongst other things, was an “IXP setup check list as well as the
IXP startup equipment specifications.
• Two (2) sub committees , established from the IX membership, each responsible
for the technical and governance aspects of the PNGIXP were setup as a follow
through from this workshop, in close consultation with ISOC.
• A peering switch for the PNGIXP was donated by ISOC, during this time as part of
this support.

8. • Towards the later part of 2016, NICTA was introduced to the APNIC team by ISOC
who were keen to partner with and support the development of the PNGIXP
project.
• As a follow through from the previous workshops by ISOC and a precursor to the
PNGIXP’s commissioning scheduled for Q2 of 2017, APNIC facilitated a technical
workshop on Internet Resource Management (IRM), Routing and IXP Best
Practice.
• An important part of this workshop content involved an IXP demonstration which
required the assistance of voluntary ISPs from the PNGIX membership to establish
connectivity to the IXP.

9. • The live IXP demo was a success and added to the growing momentum towards
the planned PNGIXP establishment.
• PNG ISPs Digitec and Datec, who had volunteered for the IXP demo also agreed to
permanently maintain their respective connectivity to the IXP beyond the
workshop event.

10. • Noting ISOC and APNIC’s collaborative effort and key support to PNG’s
ICT industry, the PNGIXP’s operational launch was held on 5 April 2017.
• The inauguration of the PNGIXP soon followed on 17 May 2017 and was
commemorated as part of PNG’s annual celebration of ITU World
Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
• As part of NICTA’s facilitative role, the PNGIXP membership was also
formally incorporated as the “PNGIX Association” a not for profit, legal
entity, with the mandate to manage and oversee the operations and
administration amongst other things concerning the PNGIX.

11. • ISOC and APNIC have also played a key role in the collaboration between
the PNGIXP and CDN operators including Google, Akamai, Facebook and
ISC for the F root node.
• The PNGIX Association has successfully entered into formal agreements
with each respective operator since its formal incorporation
• Google is now peering with the PNGIX on as36040 for cachable content
only, while Facebook’s hardware is also currently undergoing installation
in country.
• To date, there are twenty one (21) signatories to the PNGIXP Charter.

12. • ISP’s connected to the IX provide a much
better end user experience with local
content being shared free across the
exchange. Over 1G of traffic locally is a
massive achievement
• Out of country cache providers have
provided connections to their network giving
the IX members direct connection to this
content that is now stored in country.

13. • Trust between service providers – building a culture of trust and
emphasis on neutrality was key to bringing competing ISP’s and the
wider ICT community together to establish the PNGIX.
• Neutral venue to host the PNGIX – Although several venues were
initially considered by the IX community, it was eventually agreed
that NICTA would host the facility. To date, NICTA has offered the IX
room space including power, cooling etc at no cost to the PNGIX.
• Technical expertise – Network engineers from competing ISP’s
worked together to setup the IX under the assistance offered by
both ISOC and APNIC.

14. • The success of the PNGIX is very much attributed to the collaborative effort,
support including donation of hardware received from ISOC and APNIC who have
been instrumental in helping the local community in PNG deliver this critical
infrastructure. There has also been unprecedented support and cooperation
received from the PNGIX Association and wider local community in the form of
hardware, and other resources including voluntary assistance required to help
setup the PNGIX.
• The establishment of the said facility is particularly an important milestone
achievement as it brings the Government of PNG through NICTA a step closer to
achieving high quality and affordable broadband services essential for future
social and economic development in PNG as set out under the National
Broadband Policy. It is envisioned that this facility will serve as a key driver for
further innovation and development of internet services in PNG.

15. Thank you!