the backbone network also deliver traffic to and from internet exchange points ixps which is a network access point that helps facilitating local internet traffic exchanges between operators and helps reduce the cost and latency of data traffic there are hundreds of ixps around the world and new ixps are established every year however ixps are still scarce in many parts of the world in less half of ldcs had an ixp itu developing a national backbone network is capital intensive and often financed by the private sector or through publicprivate partnerships