The challenge of high internet cost and accessibility in Samoa will soon be addressed with the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) within the country. 

This was announced recently by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo in the parliament. 

He said currently online traffic where messages, Facebook accessing or emails are sent using their respective networks has to make a round trip to the U.S. before it is received back in Samoa. 

But if Samoa has its own IXP it will cut the U.S. leg of the process and will be cost effective for the local users, according to the Minister. 

Toelupe said the development is crucial due to schools embracing virtual learning platforms as well as the upgrading of the School Connectivity Project. 

The Acting Chief Executive Officer for M.C.I.T., Letoa Matini Faasino said the IXP will be centralised at the National University of Samoa and is on its way to Samoa. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Letoa said the development will not only benefit the education sector but also the Government's e-health policy and general networking.

He said the project has been in the pipeline for the last two years and they are currently in consultation with telecommunications companies on the project. 

Meanwhile, the Minister has told the parliament that the I.C.T. infrastructure services has an expenditure of $5 million in addition to another $2 million allocated to the Samoa National Broadband Highway. 

Speaking in parliament during the budget debate recently, Toelupe said the costs do not include other services under infrastructure such as the Disaster Management Organisation, the Police and Fire and Emergency Services Authority. 

He said this has compelled the Government to create a One Government I.C.T. platform with the aim to save money on infrastructure service. 

Currently, he said the Government is drafting a policy framework for Internet Service Providers which would monitor the nation’s ICT infrastructure with a goal to have affordable internet connection for everyone. 

He explained the Government does not have a fixed amount of payment for service providers and does not have any funds to assist smaller ISPs. 

Toelupe said this is the reason why the Government is undertaking an ISP policy review.