Kansas grants $5M to CNIXP for Kansas' first Internet Exchange Point at Wichita State University
December 4, 2023
Source: Wichita State University
The first Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in Kansas is slated to be located at Wichita State University, improving internet performance, affordability and reliability for WSU, Innovation Campus and Shocker Neighborhood users and for users across much of Kansas.
The announcement was made Nov. 29 by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, whose administration has awarded a $5 million grant to fund the construction of the facility. It will be owned and operated by Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points (CNIXP) LLC, a joint venture between Kentucky-based nonprofit Connected Nation and carrier hotel pioneer Hunter Newby.
If the site is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), the IXP will be located on a vacant lot owned by WSU at the northwest corner of East 21st Street North and Fountain Avenue, directly across from WSU’s Eck Stadium.
CNIXP will provide space and services for Wichita State to establish a network interconnection presence in the facility at no cost for 40 years.
Having an IXP in Wichita will be a game changer, making local and regional internet connectivity faster and more secure.
"A connected community is a stronger community," said WSU President Rick Muma. "A carrier-neutral IXP located in the heart of Kansas at Wichita State will build bridges of connectivity and access to meet the ever-evolving demands of education and commerce to all Kansans.”
“WSU's dedication to digital transformation is further amplified through this broadband infrastructure, offering meaningful applied learning prospects for our students and accessible and affordable connectivity to our region," said Tonya Witherspoon, WSU's associate vice president for industry engagement and applied learning.
