Kansas partners with Wichita State to build first Internet exchange point

Kansas is on the verge of a significant advancement in internet infrastructure with plans to establish the state's first Internet Exchange Point (IXP) at Wichita State University. This initiative, backed by a $5 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aims to enhance internet connectivity, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

The proposed facility will serve as a critical hub where different internet service providers can interconnect and exchange traffic. Currently, Kansas is one of only 14 states without an IXP, meaning that all internet traffic from the state must travel to facilities in neighboring states, primarily Kansas City, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado. This reliance on out-of-state infrastructure poses risks to internet resiliency and increases costs for local providers, particularly those serving rural areas.

The project has received unanimous support from the Wichita City Council and the planning commission, but it faces a significant hurdle due to a restrictive land covenant on the university's property. This covenant, which includes racial restrictions and limits development to single-family homes, complicates the construction process. Efforts to amend or remove the covenant have proven challenging, requiring legislative action to proceed.

The establishment of the IXP is expected to lower internet costs significantly for local school districts and rural providers. Currently, some districts pay over $11 per megabit for internet access, while those near an IXP could see costs drop to between 10 and 30 cents per megabit. This disparity highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure to support equitable access to high-quality internet services across the state.

As the project moves forward, it promises to enhance connectivity, reduce latency, and ultimately improve the quality of internet service for Kansas residents, particularly in rural areas. The next steps will involve navigating the legislative process to address the land covenant issue, ensuring that this vital infrastructure can be built and operational in the near future.