Telecoms, data centres target improved internet interconnection

Communications firms, internet service providers and data centre operators will convene in Nigeria to explore measures to enhance domestic internet traffic exchange. The impending 2026 Nigerian Peering and Interconnection Forum, slated for October 28-29 in Lagos, aims to address challenges and seize opportunities surrounding internet peering, interconnection, local content delivery, and data centre infrastructure.

Organized by the Nigerian Network Operators Group, in partnership with the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission, the forum will delve into the significance of reliable connectivity and efficient traffic exchange, particularly in the face of surging internet usage, cloud computing, and digital services.

Prof. Adewale Adedokun, the convenor of ngNOG, emphasized the pressing need for Nigeria to prioritize the infrastructure and arrangements that govern internet traffic exchange, content delivery, and digital service hosting. He underscored that strengthening domestic interconnection can facilitate networking and content delivery locally, potentially reducing latency and boosting internet service efficiency.

Adedokun further highlighted that Nigeria must increasingly focus on the infrastructure and interconnection mechanisms that sustain its burgeoning digital economy.

The forum will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including network operators, internet service providers, data centres, content providers, technology firms, regulators, and other digital infrastructure participants. Key topics on the agenda include internet peering and interconnection, local traffic exchange, data centres, connectivity infrastructure, content delivery, regional connectivity, and regulatory frameworks.

Experts predict that effective domestic arrangements can bolster online service delivery, diminish reliance on distant traffic routes, and enhance network performance, resilience, and efficiency. However, the realization of these benefits hinges on factors such as the availability of adequate infrastructure, the strategic placement of data centres and content, network capacity, and the industry's willingness to forge commercially viable interconnection agreements.

Collaboration across the sector is deemed crucial to meet the burgeoning demand driven by heightened internet usage, cloud services, online content, and emerging technologies. Adedokun stressed that no single entity can single-handedly address these challenges. Instead, operators, data centres, content providers, regulators, Internet Exchange Points, and technology companies must collaborate to foster an environment conducive to the efficient and reliable delivery of digital services from within Nigeria.

The forum's programme will feature research presentations, technical sessions, fireside dialogues, and industry panels, focusing on the localization of internet traffic, content, and digital services. Attendees are expected to deliberate on how enhanced domestic interconnection can amplify network performance, resilience, and efficiency.

Furthermore, the event will facilitate the exchange of technical knowledge, fortify industry relationships, and identify avenues for collaboration and investment.