Meriam Jelliti
Doha

Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim bin Saif al Sulaiti on Monday launched the first Internet Exchange Point in Qatar (QIXP).

Established in MEEZA data centre, QIXP aims to enable local networks to exchange information efficiently at a common point within the country, instead of exchanging local information outside, thus ensuring that Internet users in Qatar have faster and a more secure access to the digital content.

“We are pleased to launch QIXP today, which is a new achievement in developing the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) infrastructure in Qatar. The project will contribute to further improving the country’s international network readiness ranking and also attract global content providers”, said the minister.
“In addition to enabling the new generations for creativity in the digital content realm and building up the aspired digital future, thus contributing to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 goals by providing a world-class infrastructural and informatics backbone and a knowledge-based economy that contributes to diversifying the national economy,” said His Excellency Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al-Sulaiti.
He added: “Achieving security has been a priority, and QIXP will serve as a catalyst for many foreign companies, to come to Qatar and launch digital platforms in countries across the world from here. It will also boost creativity among the younger generation in the realm of digital content, thus contributing to diversification of the national economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”

CRA PresidentMohammed Ali al Mannai thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation and contribution to the success of this project, specially MEEZA, Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar. He added that the CRA will continue to communicate and work with them and with all concerned and interested parties to develop this project.
Speaking on the occasion, Meeza CEO Eng Ahmad Mohammed al Kuwari said that it was a remarkable achievement to have the first point in Qatar for online exchange between Internet service providers and digital content providers.
He added: “Another advantage is the exchange of information, which helps fastening data transfer and securing it.”
The QIXP functions as one of the key components of Internet infrastructure and will directly contribute to improving the quality of Internet, developing the ICT sector and raising the performance of networks.

Due to QIXP’s strategic importance in terms of information security and Internet infrastructure stability and sustainability in Qatar, it is also considered a key factor in supporting major events like the FIFA World Cup 2022.
All services are ready to be introduced to companies and entities from the private and public sectors, while efforts are being made to provide the best services to the market.

The launch event was attended by representatives of the entities that form the QIXP Steering Committee including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar University, Qatar National Library, Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN), Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) under Qatar Foundation for Education, Sciences and Community Development, Ooredoo Qatar, Vodafone Qatar and Gulf Bridge International (GBI).