AARNet CEO Chris Handcock said the network will connect researchers across the Asia Pacific region to industry leaders in the US.
"Research teams in medicine, astronomy and science can visualize larger, higher resolution images than ever before," Handcock said.
"This technology opens up a world of opportunities for collaboration across the Pacific and helps to ensure Australia's place at the forefront of global collaborative research."
Calit2 director Professor Larry Smarr said the technology marks the entry of Australian universities into the OptIPlanet Collaboratory, a scientific research network that connects universities from around the world over high capacity links.
"Based on today's success, we will connect other Australian universities together with universities in the US and around the world using these advanced technologies in 2008," Smarr said.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy joined fellow federal and state ministers and opposition leaders in the demonstration, an initiative of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue.
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