The network will connect REANNZ users with their colleagues using 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.
Auckland will also be directly linked 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 round-the-clock to prevent downtime and promote availability.
Dr Jim Watson, chairman of REANNZ, said that until now, New Zealand
has been restricted by the technical performance of regular internet services such as email and low-level file-transfer processes.
This has limited the participation of New Zealand organizations in research, development and education activities, he said. For New Zealand to truly compete internationally in R&D, this network is essential.
