FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTERNET2, SURFnet and NORDUNET CONNECT ADVANCED R&E NETWORKS International connections extend basis for global development and interoperability of new networking technologies Washington, DC -- April 26, 1999 - NORDUnet, SURFnet and Internet2 today agreed to connect their research and education backbone networks. Peering with Abilene in New York City, an Internet2 backbone network, has been made possible through high-speed links across the Atlantic provided by Teleglobe. The interconnect extends unprecedented advanced networking between US and both Nordic and Dutch academic communities. The networks will also connect at STAR TAP, the international connection point in Chicago funded by the National Science Foundation. "This connection between our networks will help connect our communities and ensure a common future for the global Internet," said Douglas Van Houweling, President and CEO leading the Internet2 project. "We look forward to continued collaboration and coordination among researchers and educators at Internet2 and NORDUnet and SURFnet institutions as they together advance network technology." "SURFnet is very proud to be the first European network to establish a direct high speed interconnect with the Abilene network," said Kees Neggers, managing director of SURFnet. "This will make it possible for our research communities to really start working on next generation applications. "Connection between Abilene and NORDUnet gives the researchers in the Nordic countries a solid foundation for advanced networking projects. The Nordunet2 project is currently also taking shape, which promotes the use of this connectivity and collaboration with US universities and Internet2", says Peter Villemoes, General manager of NORDUnet A/S Today's agreement to provide interconnection between Abilene, NORDUnet and SURFNET builds on the Memoranda of Understanding the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), home of the Internet2 and Abilene projects, has signed with both NORDUnet and Stichting SURF, SURFnet's parent company. Today's agreement extends the principles of the MoU, which encourage collaboration between member institutions, promotion of technology transfer from the joint endeavors to industry, and collaboration in developing common standards and technical implementations. One of the first areas of collaboration will be in the recently announced QBone initiative to develop a testbed to explore Quality of Service (QoS) technologies. NORDUnet A/S is responsible for the development and operation of a Nordic research network backbone. NORDUnet serves research and education in the Nordic area and has a total international bandwidth connected to its node in Stockholm of approximately 700 Mbs. NORDUnet deploys modern networking equipment and is among the most well equipped and maintained research network backbones in the world. NORDUnet A/S is a limited company owned by government institutions responsible for higher education in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. A brochure is available for ordering from info@nordu.net SURFnet is the national computer network for education and research in the Netherlands. SURFnet connects the networks of universities, colleges, research centres, academic hospitals and scientific libraries to each other and to other networks in Europe and the rest of the world. In close cooperation with key industrial partners and with the Dutch Telematics Institute, SURFnet is currently finalizing plans for the development and realisation of a next generation SURFnet-network based on leading edge technology and with high capacity connections to other leading edge technology and with high capacity connections to other leading research networks worldwide. For more information about SURFnet please see: http://www.surfnet.nl/en/ The Abilene network is a project of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), home of the Internet2 project. In partnership with Qwest Communications, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks and Indiana University, UCAID is deploying Abilene as the most advanced and far-reaching research and education network in the United States. A primary goal of Abilene is to support the efforts of the Internet2 project. Operations are scheduled to begin in January 1999, with over 70 Internet2 institutions planning to connect by the end of 1999. For more information on Abilene please see: http://www.internet2.edu/abilene/ The Internet2 project is being led by over 150 US universities, working with industry and government, to enable and facilitate the advanced network applications necessary to meet emerging needs in higher education. Internet2 participants are developing the broadband applications, engineering and network management tools for research and education. For more information on Internet2, a project of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), please see: http://www.internet2.edu Teleglobe Inc. (NYSE, TSE, ME: TGO) is a recognized leader in global telecommunications. Teleglobe owns and operates one of the world's largest Internet backbones, connecting hundreds of ISPs in nearly 100 countries as well as many content providers and search engines. The company's Globeinternet(sm) backbone incorporates a high performance multiple OC-3 ring-based Cisco Powered Network (Nasdaq: CSCO) that spans North America and Europe, a state-of-the-art global IP routing service and extensive international satellite and transoceanic cable facilities for worldwide Internet connectivity. The network soon will be upgraded to OC-12 status. For more information on Teleglobe please see: http://www.teleglobe.com/ Contacts: Greg Wood Internet2 ghwood@internet2.edu 202.872.9119 Rami Heinisuo NORDUnet A/S rami@faunia.com +358 400 980 008 Ellen van Hattem Stichting SURF hattem@surfbureau.nl