ISIF Asia 2023 Awards | IGF 2023 Launch / Award Event #8

Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

ISIF Asia

ISIF Asia and APNIC Foundation are two organizations that play a crucial role in promoting internet development and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region. ISIF Asia specifically focuses on providing grants and awards to projects that contribute to internet development, with a particular emphasis on infrastructure, inclusion, and knowledge. Their ultimate goal is to achieve meaningful and equitable internet access for all individuals. On the other hand, the APNIC Foundation is committed to supporting and recognizing entrepreneurs and innovators in the internet field, with the aim of fostering the expansion and improvement of internet access and usage.

Both ISIF Asia and the APNIC Foundation align their efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. These goals serve as a framework for their work in making significant contributions towards the development and enhancement of internet-related initiatives in the region.

While ISIF Asia has dedicated substantial resources to supporting projects and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region, they acknowledge that the current funding falls short of the needs of researchers and practitioners. In response, they actively seek contributions and support from like-minded organizations, partners, and donors who are willing to collaborate and participate in their work.

Both ISIF Asia and the APNIC Foundation recognize the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of their interventions. ISIF Asia is in the process of developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to better understand their impact and calculate their contributions within a broader ecosystem, rather than claiming full attribution for project outcomes. This approach reflects their commitment to a multi-stakeholder, community-based approach to internet development, wherein they actively build networks and collaborate with various regional and national organizations to maximize their impact.

Overall, the contributions of ISIF Asia and the APNIC Foundation are valuable in driving internet development and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region. Their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, collaborative approach, and efforts towards monitoring and evaluation demonstrate their dedication to creating meaningful and equitable internet access for all individuals.

University of Malaya

The University of Malaya in Malaysia has been recognized for their work on an SDN-based internet exchange playground, receiving the prestigious ISF-Asia 2023 award. This project aims to enhance the training of technical operators and bolster the routing security of internet exchange points (IXPs). One important aspect of their work is the team’s focus on engaging women in this field, with the aim of promoting gender diversity. Additionally, the project introduces the use of RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) in the BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to enhance security.

The ISF-Asia 2023 award comes with a £5,000 grant for research costs and a travel grant to the Internet Governance Forum in Kyoto, Japan. This recognition highlights the significance of the University of Malaya’s work and their contribution to the advancement of the internet industry.

The University of Malaya is optimistic about the possibilities of further international collaboration on their SDN-based internet exchange playground project. Dr. Ling Tak Chow, a representative from the university, expressed the hope that more countries and collaborators would join their efforts. The project has been designed in a way that allows for connection to more nodes, thereby enabling the training of a larger number of networkers. Furthermore, the project aims to create a more distributed environment for IXPs, facilitating network operations on a wider scale.

Providing easy access to a learning environment for young networkers is another key aspect emphasized in this summary. Access to such an environment may be particularly challenging in developing or least developed countries. The goal, therefore, is to create a learning environment that closely resembles real-world scenarios. This enables young networkers to gain practical experience and skills necessary for their professional development.

The summary also highlights future areas of development in internet network operations, including the exploration of AI-assisted IXP environments and the continuous improvement of internet exchange security. These advancements are expected to enhance the efficiency and reliability of internet networks, contributing to the further development of the industry.

In terms of technological advancements, the summary points out the University of Malaya’s use of advanced technologies like SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and BGP routers. They have secured funding to deploy these machines in various countries, allowing users to set up their own path between routers. This technological approach creates a more flexible and customizable network infrastructure, encouraging innovative solutions and greater user autonomy.

The University of Malaya has also received grants and appreciates the support and collaboration they have received. They express gratitude towards their institution and collaborators, particularly mentioning Dr. Chua Pangwei, Dr. Aris Redianto, and project admin Satish Kumar for their valuable contributions.

Overall, the University of Malaya’s work on the SDN-based internet exchange playground project is lauded for its significant impact on the industry. While the number of publications may be an important measure of success, Dr. Ling emphasizes the importance of the project’s practical implications and the training it offers.

The expanded summary highlights the University of Malaya’s achievements, aspirations for further collaboration, focus on gender diversity, commitment to practical learning environments, and exploration of advanced technologies. Their dedication to advancing the field of internet network operations is commendable, and their work has the potential to shape the future of the industry.

Keywords: University of Malaya, Malaysia, ISF-Asia 2023 awards, SDN-based internet exchange playground, networkers, routing security, IXPs, gender diversity, RPKI, BGP, Internet Governance Forum, practical learning environment, international collaboration, developing countries, least developed countries, AI-assisted IXP environments, internet exchange security, Software-Defined Networking, BGP routers, flexible network infrastructure, grants, appreciation, industry impact.

Audience

Technical projects aimed at improving Internet efficiency and reducing latency have a dual impact, both on a technical level and on the economic front. In particular, projects such as Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) play a crucial role in driving not only technical advancements but also economic progression. These initiatives require funds to be implemented, and although the investment may seem significant, the practical and economic benefits they bring tend to far exceed the initial funding. One specific example of this is a project that used $9.4 million, where the speaker believes the impact on the economy was far greater than the amount invested.

The economic impact of such projects is as vital to consider as the technical advancements they bring. It is crucial for stakeholders, especially governments, to be convinced about the benefits and impacts of these technical projects. One suggestion for achieving this is to present quantifiable data and statistics that demonstrate the economic impact. By providing tangible evidence, such as measurable results in terms of economic benefits, stakeholders can better understand the value and potential of these projects. In particular, the speaker, Dr. Zartash, has highlighted the challenge of convincing government and other key stakeholders about the significance of these initiatives. The use of quantifiable data and statistics could prove to be a more effective method of persuasion, appealing to stakeholders’ preference for concrete numbers.

Looking towards the future, it is essential to develop plans that can further demonstrate the economic impact of technical projects like IXPs. This is key to gaining continued support and persuasion from relevant stakeholders. In particular, quantifiable results can serve as a persuasive tool to build a case for more projects like IXPs in regions such as Pakistan. By providing evidence of the positive economic impact and potential future benefits, stakeholders can be encouraged to support and invest in such initiatives.

In conclusion, technical projects aimed at improving Internet efficiency and reducing latency not only have a technical impact but also a significant economic impact. The practical and economic benefits of these projects generally surpass the initial funding, making them valuable investment areas. However, convincing the government and other stakeholders about the importance and value of these projects can be a challenge. Utilising quantifiable data and statistics to demonstrate the economic impact can play a crucial role in persuading stakeholders. Future plans should be devised to provide further evidence of the economic impact and to gain continued support and persuasion from stakeholders.

Ellisha Heppner

Ellisha Heppner holds the position of Grants Management Lead for the APNIC Foundation, where she oversees the distribution and management of grants. Her role highlights her commitment to effectively managing grants within the organization. She actively supports the advancement of the Internet for development, recognizing its potential to drive innovation and infrastructure growth.

One notable example of Heppner’s support is her encouragement of the LUMS team’s efforts. The team received the ISF-Asia awards in 2023 for their outstanding work in the development and implementation of software-defined networking (SDN) applications for internet exchange points (IXPs). Their innovative approach enabled the successful deployment of IXPs in Karachi and Lahore, leading to reduced operating costs through automation. Heppner played a crucial role in presenting the award to Sartaj Avzal-Uzmi, the leader of the LUMS team, expressing her hope that the recognition would further assist their future innovative initiatives.

Furthermore, the APNIC Foundation celebrates the remarkable contributions of three grantees from the Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF) Asia. These grantees have made exceptional strides in the development of internet exchange points, which play a vital role in industry, innovation, and infrastructure growth. The recognition they receive highlights the importance of promoting internet exchange points and their impact on advancing connectivity and collaboration.

However, challenges remain in convincing service providers to fully utilize the newly established internet exchange points. Although physical connectivity has been established, there is room for improvement in optimizing their usage. While there are potential cost benefits for service providers in utilizing these exchanges, increased persuasion is needed to ensure their widespread adoption.

The accomplishments of the ISF-Asia 2023 awards extend beyond LUMS. MNIX, the organization behind Myanmar’s first internet exchange point, is recognized for their exceptional work in this field. MNIX operates as a non-profit, community-led exchange that provides IP peering facilities. With two IXPs and three points of presence (POPs), their plans to extend their network reach to a data center further contribute to the development of internet infrastructure in Myanmar. Heppner commends the notable work done by Thien Nguyen Kim and the team at MNIX.

Additionally, the University of Malaya, Malaysia, is acknowledged for their work on designing, developing, and operating an SDN-based internet exchange. Led by Dr. Ling Tak Chow, this project holds significant implications for the advancement of industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The University’s efforts to foster gender equality in the field through online training, tutorials, and seminars specifically targeting women are also recognized.

Overall, Heppner expresses gratitude towards the meeting attendees and appreciates the support provided by the Asia Pacific Internet Development Trust and APNIC. She recognizes their essential role in enabling the work of awardees and their commitment to furthering the development of the internet. Through her support and encouragement, Heppner demonstrates her dedication to advancing internet connectivity and collaboration in pursuit of sustainable development goals.

University of Management Sciences or LUMS

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is actively working on the development of software-defined Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Pakistan. The LUMS team has successfully deployed IXPs in both Karachi and Lahore. This achievement is the result of collaboration with government organizations such as the Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. These collaborations were essential for identifying suitable locations and hosting the IXPs.

Despite the successful deployment, the utilization of the IXPs remains a challenge. Efforts are being made to incentivize service providers to exchange their traffic through the IXPs by encouraging the presence of large content providers in Pakistan. By doing so, it is hoped that the overall utilization of the Internet Exchange Points will increase.

One of the significant hurdles in this project was the absence of IXPs in Pakistan. The LUMS team had to secure funding and develop a research team to address this issue. The first challenge was to identify the problem and seek funding to solve it. However, despite these initial obstacles, LUMS was able to overcome them and successfully deploy the IXPs in Karachi and Lahore.

In terms of challenges faced by Pakistan’s internet infrastructure, the limited connectivity and expensive access are noteworthy. Pakistan’s connectivity is only through the southern part of the country, which brings about inefficiencies and renders access to the internet quite expensive for ordinary users. This highlights the importance of improving internet affordability and making it accessible for the masses.

Another noteworthy observation is the need for the neutralization of geopolitical scenarios for efficient international connectivity. Currently, Pakistan is not connected to any neighboring countries for internet exchange, resulting in inefficiencies. It is crucial to have better international connectivity to enhance internet exchange practices.

Overall, the successful deployment of the IXPs by LUMS is a significant step towards improving Pakistan’s internet infrastructure. Collaboration with government organizations, efforts to incentivize service providers, and addressing issues of limited connectivity and expensive access are all crucial aspects of this project. By focusing on these areas, it is hoped that Pakistan’s internet exchange system will be more efficient, cost-effective, and accessible to a wider population.

Myanmar Internet Exchange

The Myanmar Internet Exchange (MNIX) has been recognised for its achievement in developing Myanmar’s first internet exchange point (IXP), winning the ISF-Asia Awards 2023. MNIX has successfully expanded its operations to include two IXPs and three points of presence (POPs), with 26 peer ASNs. This not-for-profit, community-led exchange provides IP peering facilities for its members, promoting collaboration and connectivity within the country.

However, MNIX faces challenges in several areas. Cooperation between local internet service providers (ISPs) and contemporary providers proves to be a hurdle. The emigration of engineers further compounds this issue, exacerbating the shortage of local staff and hindering the growth and development of the exchange.

Nonetheless, MNIX has notable achievements to its credit. It established the Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) system earlier than other regions, ensuring security and authenticity in the exchange of internet routing information. Additionally, MNIX places significant emphasis on the training of IXP members, fostering knowledge sharing and collective experiences.

Looking to the future, MNIX has plans for expansion. This includes extending its network reach to a data centre, setting up another IXP in a different city, and establishing small POPs in other cities. These steps towards expansion aim to strengthen internet infrastructure and enhance connectivity across the country.

One of the main challenges faced by MNIX and other internet exchange points in Myanmar is securing the engagement of large network operators. Negotiations with these entities often prove difficult, as they show little interest in participating in IXPs. However, an increase in the content connected to the IXP may generate interest from these larger network operators, leading to increased collaboration and connectivity.

The community, particularly content providers, play a crucial role in supporting the establishment and operation of IXPs. By joining the IXP, content providers contribute to reduced latency and increased connectivity, benefiting all stakeholders involved. This highlights the importance of partnerships and community involvement in driving the success of internet exchange points in Myanmar.

In a separate development, the Myanmar Internet Exchange (MMIX) has expanded its network beyond Yangon by establishing another IXP in Mandalay. MMIX aims to focus on small and medium ISPs and plans to set up more locations in remote areas of Myanmar if there is demand.

However, challenges exist, particularly with the government network in Naypyidaw. Currently, it is not yet connected to MMIX, despite most of the networks in the city being government-operated. Connectivity between MMIX and the government network in Naypyidaw could enhance collaboration and extend the benefits of the internet exchange point.

MMIX recognises that establishing content for the network is crucial for attracting ISPs. To this end, they have been approaching content delivery network (CDN) providers to acquire content. Without a diverse range of content, ISPs are unlikely to connect to their network, underscoring the significance of content provision in driving the success of internet exchange points.

In conclusion, the recognition of MNIX for developing Myanmar’s first IXP highlights its significant contribution to the country’s internet infrastructure. Despite challenges in cooperation, staff shortage, and engaging large network operators, MNIX has achieved notable successes with the RPKI system and IXP member training. Plans for expansion and the vital role of the community and content providers emphasise the importance of collaboration and involvement in advancing internet exchange points in Myanmar. Additionally, MMIX’s expansion beyond Yangon and focus on content provision demonstrate a commitment to improving connectivity and access to remote areas.

(Note: I have retained the same level of detail as the original text, while correcting grammatical errors, sentence formation issues, typos, and using UK spelling and grammar where required.)

Speakers