Network Access point“NAP”

for the Arab States

Presented by :Nisreen Al-Araj

Background_____________________________

The majority of Arab internet activity isexchanged outside the Arab region throughNetwork Access Points in the United Statesand other countries

Current connection points have the followinglimitations:Lack of optimal use of capacitiesDelay in transfer of information and

loading of applicationsPossible occurrence of problems and

service cut-offs, which results inundermining security

Lower qualityHigher cost.

Historical Overview_____________________________

One pillar of the General Arab Strategy forCommunications and Information Technology /“Building an Information society 2007-2012” was:‘Achieving universal access and improving

quality of services for the Arab citizen, utilizinginformation and communications technology’.

Stemming form the above pillar, the InternationalTelecommunication Union (ITU) / Arab Regionaloffice adopted the NAPs initiative in the Arabstates in 2006.

NAPs Initiative_____________________________

This initiative aims at providing access pointsto connect Arab internet networks such thattraffic between Arab countries passes throughthose points.

Information sent to destinations outside theArab region passes through those points.

The backbone for the Network Access Point(NAP) initiative will be based on optical fibercable interconnecting all NAPs.

Recommended Host Countries For theNAPs

_______________________ Morocco for the proximity of Europe (easy

access to landing point of internet traffic inEurope) and the capacity of Internet bandwidthavailability

Egypt due to heavy Arabic content andcapacity of Internet bandwidth availability

UAE for the financial strength, marketingplatforms and the capacity of Internetbandwidth availability.

Jordan due to the strength of NetworkInfrastructure, the telecommunications’ openmarket policy, the existence of a range of ISPsand Telecom Operators and the capacity ofInternet bandwidth available.

Proposed NAP locations____________________________

Western Arab NAP located in Morocco withparticipating countries viz. Algeria, Mauritania,Libya, Tunisia and Morocco

Middle East NAP located in Egypt withparticipating countries viz. Sudan, Somalia,Djibouti and Comoros.

GCC NAP located in Dubai with participatingcountries viz. Kuwait , Saudi Arabia , Qatar, Oman,Bahrain, UAE and Yemen.

Cham NAP in located Jordan with participatingcountries viz. Syria ,Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon .

Cham NAP(Amman)

Western ArabNAP (Morocco)

Middle EastNAP (Cairo)

Redundant Fiber Backbone

Internet Uplink Internet Uplink

Internet UplinkClients

Clients Clients

Internet UplinkGCC NAP(Dubai)

Clients

Internet Uplink

Logical layout for Arab NAPs___________________________________

Excepted Benefits from NAPs Initiative_________________________________ Increase in internet usage. Reduce Internet usage costs through Savings on

the utilization of bandwidth between connectedcountries and the USA, which is a major cost ofInternet services.

Increasing Arab Digital content. Reduce the cost of the international calls between

the Arab countries by using voice over IPtechnology through the connection available.

Ensure uninterrupted connection between Arabcountries in the event of failure of someinternational routes.

Continue…_____________________________

Improving quality of service, reducebottlenecks, and accelerate access to variousapplications

Allowing for the optimal use of availableinfrastructures and capacities.

Enhancement the Economic status for theparticipating countries due to the expectedincrease use and utilization of internet, ease incarrying out e-business, growth in e-learning,evolvement of Arabs as leading ITprofessionals, better e-governance facilitiesand telecommunication vibrancy.

Role of MoICT____________________________

Promote Jordan to host the Cham NAP basedon the existing infrastructure and qualificationsJordan's ICT sector

Ensure that the required regulations are put inplace

Coordination and supportive role with the ICTsector locally to realize the implementation ofNAP in Jordan, and regionally through the ITU

Continue…___________________________________

Intervene and coordinate with the ITU andArab league to coordinate with the participatingcountries to overcome any the difficulties and toconnect all NAPs ensuring Interoperability

Support all efforts with the private sector tomaterialize the roll out of the Cham NAPs

Continue to support stakeholders orbeneficiaries that might take advantage of thisinitiative ex. Research educational networks.

Current Status of the Cham NAPs_________________________________

Different scenarios for establishing theconnectivity and locating the data center arebeing explored

Relevant stakeholders ‘ISPs, infrastructuresowners are encouraged to participate

The first edition of the Cham NAPsdocument will be discussed in thecoordination meeting that will be held inDec. in Cairo between the NAPs hostcountries

Location of Cham countries

Alternative scenario

Thank you…