A Primer on Internet Exchange Points for Policymakers and Non-Engineers

Abstract

IXPs are becoming a critical part of Internet infrastructure, and the way in which an IXP is managed can impact an entire region’s Internet economy. However, IXPs are not widely understood by policymakers, regulators, and businesspeople. Our paper takes one additional step to help address this gap by discussing IXPs in a way that is approachable to this group — even if doing so through somewhat shallow, non-technical lens. In the end, we conclude that a deeper policy understanding about how different IXPs operate can improve the regional Internet economy, mitigate corrosive sectoral distrust, improve Internet quality, and benefit consumers.

Keywords: IXPs, ISPs, Competition, Telecommunications

JEL Classification: L96, K23, L4