In about a year, East African Community (EAC) member states will start implementing a regional Internet Exchange Point (EAIXP).

This is the centerpiece for the East African Communications Organisation (EACO).

As part of the process, a Telecom Numbering and Internet Resources Planning, Allocations and Governance meeting is scheduled for Kigali between November 17 and 19. Rwanda also hosts the EACO Secretariat. The current Executive Secretary is Hodge Semakula.

An Internet Exchange Point is a physical network access area through which major network providers connect their networks and exchange traffic.

The primary role an IXP is to keep local Internet traffic within a local infrastructure as well as help reduce costs associated with traffic exchange between Internet Service Providers.

EACO was established to strengthen and promote cooperation in the development and provision of postal, telecommunications and broadcasting services in the East African Community. It was constituted by the five East African countries with the objective to harmonise policy and regulatory frameworks in the region; promote the development of broadcasting, postal and telecommunications/ICT services and regulatory matters; and devise ways and means to achieve fast, reliable, secure, affordable and efficient communications services within the Community.

Speaking in Nairobi last week, ICT Principal Secretary Joseph Tiampati said, "The increased uptake of online services such as e-government services, e-commerce, e-banking, e-learning, e-health not to mention the world renown mobile money services are just a few of the areas that are increasing becoming the movers of our economies."

The project will first be implemented with the five EAC countries before it is extended to another seven countries within the larger Eastern Africa region.