St. Kitts and Nevis Launches Internet Exchange Point
Landmark Step Toward Digital Independence
At the close of the two-day Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) forum, held September 11–12 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the St. Kitts and Nevis Internet Exchange Point (SKNIX) was officially launched.
This milestone coincided with the Federation’s 40th Anniversary of Independence and underscores its commitment to building a resilient and self-reliant digital infrastructure.
How an Internet Exchange Point Works
An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) allows different local networks to interconnect directly instead of routing traffic through third-party networks in other cities or countries.
This direct connection brings key benefits:
Lower costs – Traffic between networks on the exchange is not billed, reducing expenses compared to paying upstream providers.
Reduced latency – Data travels shorter distances, improving speed and responsiveness for users.
Higher bandwidth – Local ISPs can exchange data without limits, avoiding the high costs associated with long-distance connections.
These advantages are especially valuable for regions where international data transport can cost 10 to 100 times more than in North America, Europe, or Japan.
Supporting Regional Digital Infrastructure
Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Konris Maynard opened the CaribNOG forum by emphasizing that the theme, “Achieving Digital Independence,” reflects a deeper goal than technology alone.
“Achieving digital independence means building a digital infrastructure that stands firm in the face of adversity,” he explained.
“It means ensuring that our communication networks and data remain secure, (#ad) available, and steadfast during disasters, safeguarding our people, critical infrastructure, and resources.”
The SKNIX launch represents a critical step toward that vision by keeping internet traffic within national borders whenever possible.
Congratulating Stakeholders and Partners
During the launch ceremony, Minister Maynard congratulated everyone involved in making SKNIX a reality, including the CaribNOG team and local ICT professionals.
“Internet traffic doesn’t have to go all around the world before it comes back here to increase the efficacy and all this thing associated with that,” he said.
“I want to congratulate those involved at home here in the Ministry and those at CaribNOG for their input in this particular venture. I also want to commend the stakeholders who are committed to using the St. Kitts and Nevis Internet Exchange Point for the betterment of everyone involved.”
Benefits for St. Kitts and Nevis
The SKNIX is expected to deliver multiple long-term benefits:
Faster and more reliable internet service for residents and businesses
Lower operational costs for internet service providers
Enhanced resilience of digital communications during regional or global network disruptions
A stronger platform for innovation, e-commerce, and digital entrepreneurship
By hosting the CaribNOG forum and launching the SKNIX, St. Kitts and Nevis is reinforcing its leadership role in advancing Caribbean digital infrastructure.