Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti has launched the country’s first Internet Exchange Point (IXP), established in the MEEZA Data Centre using the name QIXP, Qatar News Agency reported. The QIXP will allow local network operators/ISPs and digital content providers to exchange data efficiently via a domestic common point and reduce the need for routing data internationally, enabling faster and more secure access to online resources.
The Minister noted that the QIXP has strategic importance in terms of information security and Internet infrastructure stability and sustainability in Qatar, whilst reducing latency for accessing content and reducing the number of intermediate points, and is considered a key factor in supporting digital services required to achieve national policy aims under the Qatar National Vision 2030, and supporting upcoming major events in Qatar such as the FIFA football World Cup 2022. The Minister also noted that there are plans to launch ‘three other major IXPs this year’. The IXP programme has been implemented via the QIXP Steering Committee formed based on Cabinet Decision No. 24 of 2018.