Research and Education Networks Boost Trans-Atlantic Bandwidth

The Advanced North Atlantic (ANA) Collaboration has expanded its trans-Atlantic network connectivity to support research and education (R&E) in North America and Europe, bringing the total bandwidth to 740 gigabits per second (Gbps).

Members of the ANA Collaboration include:

ANA was formed in 2013 and its members serve as backups for each other in case of a major outage.

In January 2017, the Networks for European, American and African Research (NEAAR) project — co-led by Indiana University and GÉANT — added a 100 Gbps connection between New York City and London, bringing the total amount of general-purpose trans-Atlantic network connectivity to 400 Gbps. ESnet also operates four separate trans-Atlantic circuits providing an additional 340 Gbps of bandwidth.

Jennifer Schopf, principal investigator for the NEAAR project at Indiana University, said NEAAR is implemented on a cable system not previously in use by the R&E networks and which provides increased resilience.

Meanwhile, senior R&E network architects from ANA and other organizations have been working to define a reference architecture and roadmap for national and regional R&E networks. This work is part of the Global Network Architecture (GNA) initiative, and the first public version of the GNA Reference Architecture was released in January 2017. The ANA Collaboration has announced that it is compliant with this architecture.

"The vision to establish a more robust set of architecture principles upon which advanced international research networks could be built was launched a couple of years ago, and I am happy to see that we have agreed to initial standards and moved to implementation so quickly," said Dave Lambert, president and CEO of Internet2, in a prepared statement. "What this creates is a much more solid foundation upon which global research and science projects can advance their outcomes."

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  •  black graduation cap with a glowing blue AI brain circuit symbol on top

    Report: AI Is a Must for Modern Learners

    A new report from VitalSource identifies a growing demand among learners for AI tools, declaring that "AI isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must."

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    Researchers: AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as organizations adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers suggested that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.

  • illustration of a football stadium with helmet on the left and laptop with ed tech icons on the right

    The 2025 NFL Draft and Ed Tech Selection: A Strategic Parallel

    In the fast-evolving landscape of collegiate football, the NFL, and higher education, one might not immediately draw connections between the 2025 NFL Draft and the selection of proper educational technology for a college campus. However, upon closer examination, both processes share striking similarities: a rigorous assessment of needs, long-term strategic impact, talent or tool evaluation, financial considerations, and adaptability to a dynamic future.

  • young woman using a smartphone, with digital AI and chat icons overlaid in a blurred academic setting

    Duolingo Embraces AI in Push for Scalable Learning

    Learning platform Duolingo has officially declared itself "AI-first," aiming to make learning replicable, scalable, and always available.