Another Reason Why Your Data Runs Out So Fast & Why the Gov’t’s Internet Exchange Points Are a Game Changer

For countless times, many Ghanaians have blamed the telecommunication companies for allegedly stealing their data, considering how fast their internet data sprints away. Many are surprised at the rate at which the data vanishes.

Many reasons have been given by experts, which include the kinds of sites we visit, the apps we use, and background downloads, among others.

But it is turning out, there is another culprit, which is much more technical, and far less mysterious. The lack of local internet exchange points has been identified as a factor for which internet data sprints away easily.  

The Minister for Communications, Sam George, has shed light on this concept, often misunderstood in Ghana’s digital experience. He further added how the government is seeking to address the situation.

What Are Internet Exchange Points, and Why Should You Care?

Let’s break it down. Every time you open Instagram, stream a YouTube video, or browse your favourite website, your device sends a request to a server. That server could be next door, or it could be thousands of kilometres away. That distance matters.

An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is basically a local hub where internet service providers (ISPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), and other data services meet and exchange traffic. The more of these exchange points a country has, the closer they are to users, the faster and more efficiently data can be delivered.

Surprisingly, most of Ghana’s internet exchange points are located in Europe, London and Portugal, to be specific. That means when you try to load a website, your request often has to travel all the way to London or Lisbon, then back to Ghana.

In simple terms, that’s like driving from Accra to Kumasi and back just to buy bread you could have picked up from the corner shop. There is a real cost here. The longer the distance, the more data it consumes.

So, Why Does Your Data “Disappear”?

Because your internet traffic travels a long distance, your phone or computer ends up consuming more data to complete basic tasks. With this phenomenon, it’s not that your telco is secretly stealing your bundle; it’s that the infrastructure needed to keep things local and fast simply hasn’t been adequate.

Think of it this way: streaming a 3-minute video from London uses more data than streaming the same video from a local server in Accra.

A Game-Changer: Local Internet Exchange Points Coming to Ghana

Is the government relenting on this phenomenon after identifying the gap? The government says NO. That’s where the government’s latest initiative comes in. The Minister for Communications says Ghana is making a giant leap forward by commissioning the London Internet Exchange Point (LINX) right here in Accra.

This project, in partnership with data centre operator Onix, will allow internet traffic to be routed locally, drastically reducing data consumption and improving speed.

But that’s not all. The Minister revealed that the new exchange point won’t be limited to just one location. It will be backed up at Digital Realty and another unnamed data centre, ensuring redundancy and reliability. And by the end of the year, Ghana is aiming to attract at least two more exchange points to boost this capacity even further.

What Does This Mean for You?

In simple terms, cheaper, faster, and more efficient internet. When internet traffic stays within Ghana, there’s less travel, less delay, and less unnecessary data usage. This initiative could be a real game-changer, not just for personal data usage but for businesses, digital start-ups, and the wider economy.

It could also finally silence the age-old debate about telcos and “vanishing data.” As infrastructure improves, it’ll be easier to hold providers accountable and easier for consumers to get real value for their money.

This push for local IXPs is a game changer that can digitally transform Ghana’s economy. By building a stronger backbone for internet connectivity, the government is paving the way for innovations in fintech, e-learning, e-health, and more.

The next time your bundle feels like it’s sprinting away from you, remember: the problem might not be your phone or your internet provider, it might just be that your data is taking the long road through London, but alas! There is a solution in sight.

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