Verizon Biz Connects REANNZ

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- University and library researchers in New Zealand will soon collaborate more effectively with their counterparts in the rest of the world. Under a three-year agreement with Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ), a New Zealand government-sponsored initiative, Verizon Business will fully manage a high-speed, global network service connecting REANNZ users with their colleagues who use similar research and education networks in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia. Participants in New Zealand include universities, Crown research institutes and the National Library.

The advanced network will directly link Auckland with Sydney and Seattle, providing the dedicated bandwidth needed to share large data files, including still and moving graphics. Verizon Business will monitor the private network 24 by 7 to prevent downtime and promote availability.

Dr. Jim Watson, chairman of REANNZ, says that until now, New Zealand has been restricted by the technical performance of regular Internet services. "This has limited the participation of New Zealand organisations in research, development and education activities. For New Zealand to truly compete internationally in R&D, this network is essential."

Charles Jarvie, head of development for REANNZ, says the network adds important capabilities. "Until now, much of collaboration in research and education with overseas parties has been done using regular Internet services such as e-mail and low-level, file-transfer processes," he comments.

"Having a dedicated high performance network to support network-based collaboration techniques will enable New Zealand researchers to build on opportunities with their international peers. The government has taken a valuable step in funding a major project that provides international connectivity to help further research."

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