AMS-IX announces Eastern Caribbean internet exchange link

Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin is among five islands connected through the Eastern Caribbean Internet Exchange, according to an announcement by the Amsterdam Internet Exchange, AMS-IX, on Wednesday 7 October. AMS-IX said the platform allows participating providers to exchange some internet traffic within the region rather than sending it through overseas networks. St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Barthélemy and St. Kitts are also connected.

AMS-IX said the project was developed with St. Eustatius telecommunications provider EUTEL N.V. and Saba Statia Cable System B.V., or SSCS. EUTEL provides local infrastructure on St. Eustatius, SSCS provides submarine fibre-optic links between the islands, and AMS-IX provides the exchange technology. AMS-IX said the first phase is complete, the platform is handling traffic and its public network information lists eight connected networks.

The organisations are seeking more internet service providers, network operators and digital content companies to connect to the exchange, AMS-IX said. Packet Clearing House has also installed Domain Name System infrastructure at the exchange on St. Eustatius, according to the announcement.