Mohammad Kawsar Uddin
Warren Finch is an Internet infrastructure specialist and trainer with more than three decades of experience in the information technology sector. Currently serving as an IXP Development Expert at the Internet Society, he works on supporting Internet infrastructure growth and strengthening interconnection initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region.
Finch joined the Internet Society in June 2025 after a long career in network operations, technical training and community capacity building. Prior to this role, he served as a Senior Network Analyst and Technical Trainer at APNIC, where he conducted technical workshops and supported Internet operators throughout the Asia-Pacific.
His expertise includes Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), network operations, Cisco technologies, virtualization, technical support and training delivery. Alongside his technical work, Finch is widely recognized for his commitment to knowledge sharing and developing local Internet communities. He has worked extensively to help engineers, organizations and underserved communities strengthen their technical capacity and improve access to reliable Internet infrastructure.
During his recent visit to Bangladesh as a trainer at bdNOG 21, Finch spoke with senior journalist Mohammad Kawsar Uddin about Bangladesh’s growing Internet Exchange ecosystem, digital resilience, local content hosting and the future of Internet infrastructure development in the country. The conversation also explored challenges surrounding interconnection, sustainability of regional NIX initiatives and the importance of building a safe, resilient and locally empowered Internet ecosystem. Here is the interview for readers.
Question: Bangladesh is expanding its Internet Exchange infrastructure. How do you assess the current progress and what impact is it having on overall connectivity and Internet resilience?
Answer: From a global perspective, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) are essential for improving Internet resilience because they keep local Internet traffic within the country instead of routing it through international networks. This becomes especially important during international outages or submarine cable disruptions, as users can still access locally hosted services, including government platforms and critical digital infrastructure.
Bangladesh has made encouraging progress in expanding its Internet Exchange infrastructure. Currently, at least eight IXPs are operating across the country, helping Internet Service Providers (ISPs), banks, content providers and other networks exchange traffic more efficiently.
The impact is both technical and economic. When networks connect through an IXP, data can travel directly between local providers without passing through international transit hubs such as Singapore. For example, a banking transaction between two different ISPs can be completed locally, resulting in lower latency, faster communication and improved reliability.
This local routing also helps reduce international bandwidth costs while strengthening the country’s overall digital resilience. As Bangladesh continues expanding digital services and local content, IXPs will play an increasingly important role in ensuring a faster, more stable and cost-effective Internet ecosystem.
Question: The new regional NIX PoP in Rajshahi aims to improve connectivity in underserved areas. What tangible benefits should users and local networks expect in terms of speed, cost and service quality?
Answer: The regional NIX PoP in Rajshahi is expected to bring significant improvements in connectivity, particularly for users and networks outside Dhaka. Previously, many local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the region had to rely on costly transit links to Dhaka to exchange traffic or access local content and services. With a local Internet Exchange Point now operating in Rajshahi, ISPs can exchange traffic directly within the region instead of routing it through the capital.
This has several practical benefits. First, it reduces latency and improves Internet speed because data no longer needs to make a long round trip to Dhaka. Second, it lowers operational costs for ISPs by reducing dependence on expensive upstream bandwidth. Third, it improves bandwidth efficiency, as only non-local traffic needs to travel to Dhaka or international networks.
The impact will be especially visible in sectors such as education. For example, universities in Rajshahi can now share learning platforms and digital resources locally, allowing students to access materials faster and more reliably. Overall, the regional NIX PoP will help create a more efficient, resilient and cost-effective Internet ecosystem for underserved areas.
Question: Could you explain how Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) help reduce bandwidth costs while improving Internet speed and latency for end users?
Answer: Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) help reduce bandwidth costs and improve Internet performance by allowing local traffic to remain within the country instead of being routed through expensive international transit networks. Without an IXP, even communication between two local networks may need to travel through overseas hubs before returning to Bangladesh, creating unnecessary delays and higher costs.
By exchanging traffic locally, ISPs can reduce congestion on long-distance links and use their bandwidth more efficiently. This lowers operational costs, particularly the expense of purchasing international transit capacity. In turn, providers can invest more in improving service quality and offering better performance to customers.
The impact is especially important for content-heavy services such as streaming, online education, and gaming. In countries where more content providers and caching services are connected to IXPs, users experience faster access to videos, applications and websites because the content is delivered from nearby servers instead of distant international locations.
Bangladesh is still developing its local caching ecosystem, but the expansion of IXPs is an important step forward. For end users, this means lower latency, faster browsing, smoother streaming and better online gaming experiences, while also improving the overall efficiency and resilience of the national Internet infrastructure.
Question: What are the key technical, regulatory or market challenges Bangladesh faces in building a strong and sustainable interconnection ecosystem?
Answer: Bangladesh has made notable progress in developing its interconnection ecosystem, but several technical, regulatory and market challenges remain. One major issue is attracting large international content delivery networks (CDNs) and global platforms to connect locally. In many countries, strong IXPs with significant traffic volumes encourage global content providers to establish local caching and delivery infrastructure. Bangladesh has growing traffic demand, so the challenge may lie in other factors, including regulatory or operational concerns.
Policy stability is also important. International companies generally prefer predictable and open Internet environments. Any uncertainty around Internet governance, network restrictions or shutdown practices can affect investor confidence and discourage global networks from expanding local operations.
On the technical side, Bangladesh has a strong foundation. The country has a growing community of skilled young engineers, while organizations such as bdNOG continue to support training and knowledge sharing. Infrastructure quality is also improving through initiatives such as new regional PoPs.
However, the market remains highly competitive and fragmented, with a large number of networks and ISPs operating across the country. Ensuring proper licensing, sustainable business practices and coordinated interconnection policies will be important for building a stronger and more resilient Internet ecosystem.
Question: How important are local content hosting and caching in maximizing the benefits of IXPs in Bangladesh?
Answer: Local content hosting and caching are critical to maximizing the benefits of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), particularly in a fast-growing digital market like Bangladesh. In many ways, the long-term success of an IXP depends on how much local content and how many local services are available through it.
During the early years of an IXP, one of the biggest challenges is encouraging content providers, application developers and digital platforms to connect locally. When services such as banking platforms, e-commerce sites, educational resources and streaming content are hosted within the country, users can access them faster and more reliably without relying heavily on international bandwidth.
Caching is equally important because it allows frequently accessed content to be stored closer to users. This improves speed, reduces latency and lowers operational costs for Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
However, building an IXP alone is not enough. A supportive digital ecosystem is also necessary. Policymakers, businesses and local entrepreneurs must create opportunities for locally relevant digital services. For example, regional digital platforms supporting agriculture, fisheries or local commerce can generate valuable local traffic and strengthen the overall Internet ecosystem.
Ultimately, strong local content and caching infrastructure make IXPs more sustainable, efficient and economically beneficial.
Question: As an IXP trainer working closely with local engineers, what strengths have you observed among Bangladesh’s Internet community and where do you see room for improvement? What is your long-term vision for the country’s digital infrastructure?
Answer: Bangladesh’s Internet engineering community has a strong willingness to learn and collaborate. Organizations such as bdNOG have built an active knowledge-sharing culture and workshops consistently attract strong participation. Local engineers are also highly adaptable, often working effectively with limited resources and different vendor technologies.
One area for improvement is deeper technical understanding and localized learning resources. Much of the Internet engineering documentation is still in English, so more Bangla-language technical content could help broaden participation and strengthen skills across the ecosystem.
In the long term, the goal should be to build a safe, secure and reliable digital infrastructure. Expanding connectivity alone is not enough. As more communities come online, digital literacy and trust will become increasingly important. Many first-time users primarily experience the Internet through social media platforms, while online scams and misinformation continue to grow. Bangladesh’s digital future should therefore focus not only on infrastructure expansion, but also on creating a trusted and inclusive Internet ecosystem for all users.
Question: From a media perspective, how can journalists better understand and report on IXP-related issues? What role can the Internet Society play in strengthening capacity, knowledge sharing and public awareness in this area?
Answer: The Internet Society recognized several years ago that Internet infrastructure issues were often difficult for non-technical audiences, including journalists, to understand. To address this, it developed the Pulse Internet Measurement Platform, a public portal that provides data on Internet health, IXPs, connectivity trends and Internet shutdowns worldwide.
For journalists, the platform offers accessible country-level information, including the number of IXPs, membership data, traffic statistics and network performance indicators. This helps reporters better understand and explain complex Internet infrastructure issues in a more informed way.
Beyond tools, the Internet Society also works through local chapters to promote awareness, advocacy and training. These initiatives include workshops, community engagement programs and “train-the-trainer” boot camps aimed at building local expertise. Importantly, local chapters can communicate in local languages and provide context that is more relevant for journalists, policymakers and regulators.
The Internet Society also offers a range of free online learning and training resources that are open to anyone interested in Internet technologies, governance and infrastructure development. More information is available through https://www.internetsociety.org/learning and the https://shorturl.at/FkIbv.
The broader goal is to strengthen public understanding of how Internet infrastructure affects everyday life, from connectivity and digital services to economic development and online resilience.
Question: The regional NIX PoP in Rajshahi was established with support from the Sustainable Peering Infrastructure (SPI) Grant Program of the Internet Society Foundation. What are the key factors to ensure the long-term sustainability of such initiatives?
Answer: The long-term sustainability of a regional IXP or NIX PoP largely depends on developing a viable operational and business model. In the early years, operational costs are often high because membership and traffic volumes are still limited. Expanding participation from ISPs, educational institutions and content providers is therefore essential for long-term financial stability.
Community collaboration is another key factor. Many successful IXPs begin as cooperative initiatives where members share responsibilities, resources and operational costs. However, sustaining that collaboration over time can be challenging as organizations evolve and leadership changes.
A gradual transition from a volunteer-driven community model to a professionally managed structure is often necessary. Once an IXP generates sufficient revenue, dedicated staff and long-term planning become important for stability and growth.
Strategic planning is also critical. The Internet Society’s IXP self-assessment tools help operators measure progress, identify gaps and define long-term goals. Ultimately, sustainability depends not only on infrastructure investment, but also on governance, community engagement, financial planning and the ability to continuously demonstrate value to members and local networks.
Question: Looking at existing NIX deployments in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna and Mymensingh, are there ongoing or future funding mechanisms from the Internet Society or its Foundation to support and strengthen these infrastructures?
Answer: The Sustainable Peering Infrastructure (SPI) Grant Program is not limited to new IXPs. Existing Internet Exchange infrastructures can also apply for support, although funding cycles and grant conditions may vary. Typically, organizations can apply for SPI support once every two years.
Beyond infrastructure grants, the Internet Society and its Foundation also offer several capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening the broader Internet ecosystem. These include early-career and mid-career fellowship programs designed to support skills development and long-term workforce retention within the technical community.
There are also peering-focused fellowships that address the operational and collaborative aspects of running IXPs, recognizing that strong human networks are just as important as technical infrastructure.
In addition, other funding initiatives, such as Community-Centred Connectivity and Common Good Cyber programs, support projects related to underserved communities, cyber security, and sustainable Internet development. Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen both the technical and human capacity needed to build resilient and inclusive Internet infrastructure across Bangladesh.
Answer: Over the next five years, Bangladesh should focus on building a more resilient and locally interconnected digital infrastructure. One important area will be the growth of satellite connectivity in underserved and regional areas. However, to maximize the benefits of IXPs, policymakers should ensure that satellite ground stations and landing infrastructure are strategically located within Bangladesh so that traffic can remain local whenever possible.
Infrastructure resilience should also be a major priority. Much of Bangladesh’s terrestrial fiber network relies on shared utility poles and concentrated routes, making networks vulnerable to outages caused by accidents or physical disruptions. Developing diverse and redundant fiber paths would significantly improve reliability and national Internet resilience.
At the same time, policymakers should continue encouraging local content hosting, caching infrastructure and regional interconnection to reduce dependency on international bandwidth. Investments in digital literacy, cyber security awareness and trusted online services will also be essential as more communities come online.
Ultimately, Bangladesh’s digital future will depend not only on expanding connectivity, but on building a secure, resilient and locally empowered Internet ecosystem that supports innovation, inclusion, and long-term economic growth.
