Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn invented the protocol that rules them all: TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). Most people have never heard of it. But it describes the fundamental architecture of the internet, and it made possible Wi-Fi, Ethernet, LANs, the World Wide Web, e-mail, FTP, 3G/4G — as well as all of the inventions built upon those inventions.

Widely known as one of the “Fathers of the Internet,” Cerf and Kahn are the designers of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet. In December 1997, President Clinton presented the U.S. National Medal of Technology to Cerf and his colleague, Robert E. Kahn, for founding and developing the Internet. Kahn and Cerf were named the recipients of the ACM Alan M. Turing award in 2004 for their work on the Internet protocols. The Turing award is sometimes called the “Nobel Prize of Computer Science.” In November 2005, President George Bush awarded Cerf and Kahn the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their work. The medal is the highest civilian award given by the United States to its citizens. In April 2008, Cerf and Kahn received the prestigious Japan Prize.

Presently Vint Cerf is Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google while Bob Kahn is Chairman, CEO and President of Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI).

The primary role of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is to keep local Internet traffic within local infrastructure and to the reduce costs associated with traffic exchange between Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

An internet exchange, often called IX or IXP for short, is a switching platform where internet carriers can exchange peering traffic with each other. Exchanging peering traffic over an internet exchange point rather than via direct peering, enables a carrier to interconnect with multiple networks via one uplink and thereby reduce the cost and complication of peering, enabling them to take on more peering relationships and perhaps even peer with other carriers even though the traffic volume is low.

Most of the large internet exchange points are commercial exchanges, where the participating carriers pay a fee to the IXP operator – typically depending on the port speed they are subscribing to. There are also “open” internet exchange points though, that do not require any payment or only require a symbolic fee.

Small internet exchanges are typically just one switch located in one data center, where the members can then connect to directly or through a meet me room, while the larger ixps consist of multiple switches located in different data centers that are connected to each other via direct fiber routes. This also gives members the benefit of being able to peer with members in other physical locations, without having to establish their own fiber connections between each other.

Starhub is MyRepublic local peering partner.

Equinix is MyRepublic international peering partner.

If you see this little device in your home, You Are Ready for Fibre Broadband!

OpenNet has increased its installation capacity by almost 15% from 3,100 to 3,550 connections per week following a review of its existing capacity utilisation. The increase is effective from 22 October 2012.

“After the quarterly review, OpenNet is happy to increase its capacity to meet the growing demand for fibre installation. OpenNet will continue to monitor and adjust its capacity to meet changes in demand,” says Mr Daniel Ho, Director of Business Development and Communications from OpenNet.

OpenNet’s fibre subscriber base reached the 220,000 mark in September 2012 – more than doubling in only 9 months since hitting the 100,000 mark in January 2012.

“With the penetration of fibre broadband reaching 20% of households in Singapore, OpenNet and its partners need to step up on education and marketing initiatives to reach out to a wider audience beyond the early adopters. Communicating the benefits of fibre over ADSL and Cable is especially critical in a market dominated by traditional broadband services. The introduction of innovative fibre-based service offerings tailored to specific customer needs will strengthen the case for fibre,” added Daniel.

OpenNet will continue to work closely with its stakeholders to cater for the continuing growth in demand for fibre services.

OpenNet is pleased to announce that as of 30 June 2012, it had rolled out fibre to 95% of all Singapore premises in just three and a half years – a record for a ubiquitous nationwide fibre-to-the-premise network roll-out. Today, 95% of Singapore’s residential and non-residential premises can access the ultra-high-speed Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN).

“OpenNet continues to be encouraged by Singapore’s strong support and adoption of the Next Gen NBN. As users enjoy a richer and smoother broadband experience, OpenNet is proud to be a contributor to the transformation of Singapore into an intelligent nation and global city. We appreciate the support of our customers and partners in this ambitious endeavour,” said Mr Mark Blake, CEO, OpenNet.

OpenNet’s focus is now on the remaining 5% and new premises. While roll-out to 95% of Singaporean premises was on schedule, there have been some delays in reaching the remaining premises. OpenNet has, however, recently reached an agreement with its Key Sub-contractor to roll-out fibre to the balance 5% premises by mid-2013. The coverage information is being updated and from 1st November 2012, premise owners may check OpenNet’s portal at www.opennet.com.sg for specific coverage details. A letter will also be sent to homeowners when fibre roll-out to their building has been completed. Homeowners may then approach their preferred Internet Service Provider to subscribe to fibre broadband services, including a free first pass installation of the fibre termination point.

Since the announcement of its 100,000th fibre subscriber in January this year, OpenNet’s subscriber base more than doubled to 220,000 in Sep 2012. OpenNet will continue to support the growth in demand for fibre services and work closely with the IDA, all of its customers and stakeholders to build Singapore’s Next Gen NBN into a world-class fibre network.

OpenNet’s fibre subscriber base crossed the 200,000 mark in August 2012 – doubling its subscriber base in only 8 months since hitting the 100,000 mark in January 2012.

Fibre connections to homes started in September 2010 and demand for fibre connections has been robust. This milestone is especially notable given that the current broadband market is a mature one, dominated by traditional ADSL and Cable broadband service.

“From the recently concluded Comex 2012, more than 7,000 subscribers were added. More people are beginning to recognise the benefits of switching over to a fibre broadband service. This is testimony to the continued efforts by OpenNet’s broadband service providers in promoting the benefits of fibre networks over ADSL and Cable” says OpenNet’s Director of Business Development and Communications, Mr Daniel Ho.

Fibre broadband is allowing users to enjoy a richer and smoother broadband experience at competitive prices without compromising on multi-user experience. With the increased installation capacity implemented by OpenNet in August, waiting time for service provider to get a fibre connection from OpenNet is currently 3 business days.

OpenNet is committed to supporting the growth in demand for fibre services and looks forward to hitting the next milestone of welcoming the 250,000th fibre subscriber.

About OpenNet Pte Ltd

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

Submarine cables, Singapore real internet connections to the world.

Connected To / Landing Station – Changi
1. Asia Submarine-cable Express
2. Asia-America Gateway
3. EAC-C2C
4. JAKABARE
5. Matrix Cable System
6. MorateLindo Int’l Cable System-1
7. Tata TGN-Tata Indicom
8. Tata TGN-IntraAsia
9. Thailand-Indonesia-Singapore

Connected To / Landing Station – Katong
1. APCN-2

Connected To / Landing Station – Tanah Merah
1. Asia Pacific Gateway

Connected To / Landing Station – Tuas
1. APCN-2
2. i2icn
3. SeaMeWe-3
4. SeaMeWe-4
5. South-East Asia Japan Cable System (SJC)

More are under constructions.