WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Abilene, a nationwide Internet2® network,today announced state education networks in Michigan, Missouri, Oregon,Virginia and Washington will establish connectivity under a new policy thatallows expanded access to the high-performance educational backbone.Partnerships with Internet2 universities and regional networkingorganizations will provide institutions such as elementary schools,secondary schools, community colleges, museums and libraries access to thenational high-performance network.

“Expanded access to Abilene supports the primary Internet2 goal offacilitating the rapid transfer of new network services and applications tothe global Internet and especially the broader educational community,” saidDouglas E. Van Houweling, president and CEO of the University Corporationfor Advanced Internet Development, the organization leading both theInternet2 and Abilene projects.

http://www.internet2.edu/abilene