Southern Cross Cable Networks (SCCN) has extended its partnership with Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) to sponsor the Southern Cross Trans-Pacific Optical Research Test (SXTransPORT) project, which provides a high bandwidth connection for research and education purposes between Australia and other countries.
Under the agreement, SCCN will deliver dual 40 Gbps circuits in 2012 and upgrades to dual 100 Gbps by 2016.
The partnership between SCCN and AARNet began in 2003 with the provision of dual 10 Gbps circuits between Australia and National Research and Education Networks in the US.
At the time, AARNet chief executive, Chris Hancock, said the initiative would be a boon to the Australian research and science community.
“Increased international data connectivity will benefit many areas of Australian science including astronomy, climate modelling and high energy physics, and demand will only increase,” he said.
“Connecting internationally allows Australian scientists to collaborate on major international projects and make leading contributions to global science and research endeavours.”
He also added that the high data connectivity would strengthen Australia and New Zealand’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope.
The SKA site, between Australia-New Zealand and South Africa, is still being decided, with the SKA organisation to establish a science working group to examine site options.
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