GÉANT2 Stands up to Review

On 7 July 2005, the GÉANT2 project came under the spotlight of scrutiny and received a resounding vote of approval from European Commission reviewers.

The review concentrated on the work packages associated with procurement, network implementation and global connectivity. Dai Davies and Roberto Sabatino of DANTE, the network’s operating partner, explained the scale of the task in hand and the timescale for the migration from GÉANT to GÉANT2. Also presented were the proposed global links which will connect GÉANT2 with other world regions, and strengthen the position of the original GÉANT at the forefront of the non-commercial Internet.

The reviewers’ conclusion was highly favourable, and they left satisfied that not only had the procurement process been conducted in a fair and transparent manner, but also that it achieved excellent results for the project and value-for money for the Commission’s funding.

To define future plans for GEANT2’s links around the world, a special Global Connection Policy Group was set up and will conduct its first meeting in early August.

Although at an early stage of its implementation, GÉANT2 is already impressing, practically demonstrating that the project’s partners are capable of delivering on their ambitious plans for the world’s first hybrid production network.