Warren Finch, an internet infrastructure specialist and trainer with more than three decades of experience in information technology, says Bangladesh’s digital future will depend on stronger internet exchange points, local content hosting, resilient networks and public trust.
Finch joined the Internet Society in June 2025 as an IXP Development Expert, supporting interconnection across the Asia-Pacific region. During a recent visit to Bangladesh as a trainer at bdNOG 21, he spoke with The Daily Star about Bangladesh’s internet exchange ecosystem, the Rajshahi NIX point of presence, digital resilience and sustainability.
The Daily Star (TDS): How do you assess Bangladesh’s progress in expanding internet exchange infrastructure?
Warren Finch (WF): Internet Exchange Points, or IXPs, are essential for resilience because they keep local internet traffic within a country rather than sending it through international networks. This matters during submarine cable disruptions or other outages, when users may still need to access locally hosted government services.
Bangladesh has made encouraging progress. At least eight IXPs are operating across the country, helping internet service providers, banks and content providers exchange traffic more efficiently.
The benefits are technical and economic. When networks connect through an IXP, data can move directly between local providers instead of travelling through international transit hubs such as Singapore. A banking transaction between two local networks, for example, can be completed inside Bangladesh, reducing latency and improving reliability.
Local routing also cuts international bandwidth costs. As Bangladesh expands digital services and local content, IXPs will become increasingly important to a faster and more stable internet ecosystem.
TDS: What benefits can users expect from the regional NIX PoP in Rajshahi?
WF: The Rajshahi point of presence should bring clear improvements, especially outside Dhaka. Previously, many local ISPs relied on costly transit links to Dhaka to exchange traffic or access local services. With a local exchange, they can exchange traffic within the region.
That means lower latency, better speeds and lower operating costs. It also improves bandwidth efficiency because only non-local traffic needs to travel to Dhaka or international networks.
The impact could be visible in education. Universities in Rajshahi can share learning platforms and digital resources locally, allowing students to access materials faster and more reliably. More broadly, the PoP can help create a more resilient internet ecosystem.
TDS: How do IXPs reduce bandwidth costs and improve speed?
WF: Without an IXP, even communication between two local networks may travel through overseas hubs before returning to Bangladesh, creating unnecessary delay and cost. IXPs allow local traffic to stay local. ISPs can reduce congestion on long-distance links, use bandwidth more efficiently and spend less on international transit.
The effect is particularly important for streaming, online education and gaming. Where content providers and caching services connect to IXPs, users receive content from nearby servers rather than distant international locations. Bangladesh’s caching ecosystem is still developing, but IXP expansion is an important step towards faster browsing, smoother streaming and stronger national resilience.
TDS: What challenges remain in building a sustainable interconnection ecosystem?
WF: Bangladesh has made progress, but technical, regulatory and market challenges remain. One major issue is attracting large international content delivery networks and global platforms to connect locally. Strong IXPs with significant traffic volumes usually encourage global content providers to install local caching and delivery infrastructure. Bangladesh has growing demand, so the challenge may lie in regulatory, operational or commercial concerns.
Policy stability is important. International companies prefer predictable and open internet environments. Uncertainty around internet governance, network restrictions or shutdown practices can affect investor confidence and discourage global networks from expanding local operations.
Bangladesh has a growing community of skilled young engineers, supported by organisations such as bdNOG. The market, however, remains competitive and fragmented. Proper licensing, sustainable business practices and coordinated interconnection policies will be important.
TDS: How important are local hosting and caching?
WF: They are critical. The long-term success of an IXP depends heavily on how much local content and how many local services are available through it.
When banking platforms, e-commerce sites, educational resources and streaming services are hosted inside the country, users can access them faster and more reliably, with less dependence on international bandwidth. Caching stores frequently accessed content closer to users, improving speed, cutting latency and reducing costs for ISPs.
But building an IXP alone is not enough. Bangladesh also needs a supportive digital ecosystem. Policymakers, businesses and entrepreneurs can help develop locally relevant services, including regional platforms for agriculture, fisheries and commerce. Strong local content and caching make IXPs more sustainable and economically valuable.
TDS: What strengths have you seen among Bangladesh’s internet engineers?
WF: There is a strong willingness to learn and collaborate. bdNOG has helped build an active knowledge-sharing culture, and workshops attract strong participation. Local engineers are adaptable and often work effectively with limited resources and mixed vendor technologies.
One area for improvement is deeper technical understanding and more local learning resources. Much internet engineering documentation is still in English, so more Bangla-language technical content could broaden participation and strengthen skills.
In the long term, Bangladesh should aim to build safe, secure and reliable digital infrastructure. Expanding connectivity is not enough. As more people come online, digital literacy and trust will matter more, especially as scams and misinformation grow.
TDS: How can journalists better report on IXP-related issues?
WF: Internet infrastructure can be difficult for non-technical audiences. The Internet Society’s Pulse Internet Measurement Platform helps by providing public data on internet health, IXPs, connectivity trends and shutdowns.
It offers country-level information, including IXP numbers, membership data, traffic statistics and performance indicators. The Internet Society also works through local chapters to support awareness, advocacy and training in local languages.
TDS: How can regional NIX initiatives remain sustainable, and what support is available?
WF: Sustainability depends on a viable operational and business model. In the early years, costs can be high because membership and traffic volumes are limited. Expanding participation from ISPs, educational institutions and content providers is therefore essential.
Many successful IXPs begin as cooperative initiatives where members share responsibilities, resources and costs. Over time, a transition from a volunteer-driven model to professional management may be needed. Once an IXP generates enough revenue, dedicated staff and long-term planning become vital.
The Sustainable Peering Infrastructure Grant Programme is not limited to new IXPs. Existing internet exchange infrastructures can also apply, although grant cycles and conditions vary. The Internet Society and its Foundation also offer fellowships and programmes supporting underserved communities, cybersecurity and sustainable internet development.
TDS: What should Bangladesh prioritise over the next five years?
WF: Bangladesh should focus on a more resilient and locally interconnected digital infrastructure. Satellite connectivity may become important in underserved areas, but ground stations and landing infrastructure should be located strategically inside Bangladesh so traffic can remain local whenever possible.
Much of the country’s terrestrial fibre network relies on shared utility poles and concentrated routes, leaving networks vulnerable to accidents and physical disruption. Diverse and redundant fibre paths would improve reliability.
Bangladesh should also encourage local content hosting, caching and regional interconnection to reduce reliance on international bandwidth. Investment in digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness and trusted online services will also be essential.
The future will depend not only on wider connectivity, but on a secure, resilient and locally empowered internet ecosystem that supports innovation, inclusion and economic growth.
