National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched BhashaNet Portal

22 December 2024

Ashutosh Raj

BhashaNet Portal: On Universal Acceptance (UA) Day, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) initiated the BhashaNet Portal for digital inclusion and linguistic diversity in the country. It promotes Universal Acceptance (UA) which is the principle that all domain names and email addresses, regardless of language or script, should be recognized and supported by internet applications, devices, and systems. It ensures inclusivity and accessibility, enabling users to fully participate in the digital world without facing linguistic barriers.

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

What is the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)?

NIXI, which stands for the National Internet Exchange of India, plays a crucial role in the Internet infrastructure of India. It was established in 2003 under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 and facilitates direct peering among ISPs and content providers in India

Legal Structure:

NIXI operates as a not-for-profit organization under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. This legal structure signifies that its primary objective is not profit generation, but rather to serve the public good or promote a specific objective, which in this case, is the enhancement of internet connectivity within India.

Establishment:

NIXI was established on 19th June 2003 with a specific purpose: to facilitate the exchange of internet traffic within India. Its primary aim is to enable Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other entities, such as content providers and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), to peer with each other. Peering allows these entities to directly exchange internet traffic without routing it through international connections, particularly those located in the US or abroad.

Purpose:

Operating in line with global best practices implies that NIXI follows standards and guidelines established by similar internet exchange organizations worldwide. This ensures that NIXI’s operations are efficient, secure, and aligned with industry standards, thereby enhancing its credibility and effectiveness. NIXI enables direct peering among Indian ISPs, reducing latency and saving costs by keeping domestic internet traffic within the country. It operates neutrally, providing fair access to all participants, and follows global best practices for efficient and secure internet exchange.