The implementation of SLiX eliminates the third party, resulting in reduced delays and costs.

The Ministry of Public Service, Information and Broadcasting through the Caribbean Regional Communication Infrastructure Program (CARCIP) is pleased to announce that Digicel Saint Lucia has joined two of the region's largest internet service providers (ISPs), FLOW and LIME, to exchange traffic over the Saint Lucia Internet Exchange point (SLiX).

On March 6 a meeting was convened at the Ministry of Public Service to discuss and vote on the motion to include Digicel as one of the peering members of the SLiX. In attendance were the already established peering members, LIME and FLOW. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote, allowing Digicel to become a peering member.

On April 2, Saint Lucia became one of the few islands in the region where Digicel has officially signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreeing to become a peering member over an IX.

The main benefit of an internet exchange point (IXP) to Saint Lucia is to ensure that local internet traffic remains within our local infrastructure thereby reducing the costs associated with traffic being exchanged between ISPs.

Mr. Christopher Roberts, CARCIP Coordinator for Saint Lucia explained: “In order for a person within Saint Lucia to send emails to local counterparts this email first travels to a switch in the USA and forwarded back to Saint Lucia prior to the person receiving it. This current level of transit includes a third party getting involved in sending the email, which is expensive and may result in delays. With the implementation of the SLiX we have eliminated the third party. What this means is that the email will remain in Saint Lucia thereby reducing delays associated with unnecessary routing of traffic as well as reducing the costs associated with a third party being able to carry traffic across the internet."

Now that three of the region’s telecommunication companies have agreed to peer over SLiX, it means that these networks will interconnect directly rather than through a third party (USA Switch). This interconnection will allow data to be transferred more efficiently and at a lower cost to these companies. This will also assist with the Government of Saint Lucia's efforts to facilitate internet-based economic growth and establish a strong collaboration for mutual benefit between the ISPs and the Government of Saint Lucia.