THE ROUND TABLE TO DISCUSS THE ESTABLISHING OF A UGANDAN INTERNET EXCHANGE POINT (IXP) Background

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) had planned to issue a licence for an Internet Exchange Point on a competitive basis.However, in view of various developments in the intervening period, and taking into account the commendable effort of some of the ISPs in Uganda to establish an IXP for Uganda, UCC has reviewed its approach to the whole matter.

To minimise on the likelihood of any unnecessary delays to the process, it has been decided to issue policy guidelines aimed at: font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Speeding up the establishment of a Ugandan IXP
(ii)Guiding the discussions and any other efforts, to establish the IXP

In issuing these guidelines the principles of fair competition, the existing Exclusivity Provisions, the Uganda Communications Act of 1997 and the prevailing policies, have all been taken into account.

2. The Proposed Policy Guidelines

The guidelines proposed to be adopted are:

There shall be no undue discrimination against any ISP interested in connecting to the exchange.

The IXP model shall be limited to in country, inter ISP traffic.

In proposing the model, due account shall be taken of the UCC Interconnection Regulations.

Cross border connection shall be considered at a later time, depending on developments with respect to other IXPs in the region.

The following timetable shall be adopted for the establishment of the IXP in Uganda:

Draft legal documents for the association/organization to run the IXP in Uganda shall be worked out and completed as soon as possible such that the documents are submitted to UCC by close of business on Thursday 31st May 2001. UCC will study these to ensure they comply with the above listed guidelines and give comments as appropriate.
ii)Registration of the above mentioned association/organization should be completed by 15th June 2001.

The IXP shall be launched and be operational by 14th September 2001.

However, the above not withstanding, UCC would like to receive the implementation Program within 30 days of the registration of the association/organization.

3.Way forward

As an immediate plan of action, UCC expects:
All Stakeholders to give inputs on the proposal after which UCC will issue final guidelines.

(ii)The Stakeholders move speedily to establish the IXP.

Benefits:

Aside from being the trend world over, the benefits, as perceived by UCC, of establishing an IXP in Uganda are include: -.

An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) facilitates transfer of local information/messages between the ISPs sparing the capacity for international bandwidth links for the transfer of information to and from countries outside Uganda.This should lead to a reduction in costs of “intra-country” Internet traffic.

ii)Reduced congestion on international traffic routes should result in better utilisation of the International Internet capacity and improved quality of service.

iii)Optimal utilisation of infrastructure will help leverage faster development of ICTs in Uganda,

We anticipate this initiative should improve Uganda’s overall Internet connectivity and penetration.If on the other hand it should not work out, then UCC will rapidly explore new options.
Patrick F. Masambu

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PROGRAMME FOR THE ROUND TABLE TO BE HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON TUESDAY 11 APRIL 2001, TO DISCUSS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A UGANDAN IXP, GRAND IMPERIAL HOTEL
(I). 2.00-2.30 P.M.
REGISTRATION

(II) 2.30 – 2.35 P.M.
WELCOME BY THE UCC

(III) 2.35 – 3.05 P.M.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INTRODUCES UCC’S GUIDELINES

(IV) 3.05 – 4.45 P.M.
DISCUSSION

(V) 4.45 – 5.00 P.M.
CLOSING REMARKS

The function will start promptly with registration at 2.00 p.m. and close by 5.00 p.m.Participants are requested to keep time.