Internet2 Media Release 08/08/01
InternetNZ Leads on Internet 2 - Calling All Imagination Entrepreneurs
InternetNZ is calling on the creative community to assist in the development of creative applications for Internet 2. "It's imagination not infrastructure which is going to drive the demand for applications that Internet 2 will be able offer." said InternetNZ Chair Keith Davidson
InternetNZ has established a Steering Group on Internet 2, the next stage in the development of the current Internet. The Steering Group, chaired by Neil James (Otago University), will facilitate the bringing together of all interested parties in the creation of a national strategic Internet 2 initiative.
"InternetNZ received overwhelming positive feedback after the recent Internet 2 Seminar, which involved the majority of the developers of 'Internet 1'. The Seminar was a call to action for the private and public sectors", said Davidson. "The seminar, run by (e)-Vision and the 2020 Communications Trust, considered that InternetNZ was the appropriate cross-sectorial organisation to facilitate this process, and the Council's response was enthusiastic. Neil James was the key speaker at the Seminar, and we are delighted that he has agreed to chair the Steering Group." said Davidson.
Internet 2 proposes to:
- Create a leading edge network capability for the national research community
- Enable revolutionary Internet applications
- Ensure the rapid transfer of new network services and applications to the broader Internet community
The Steering Group comprises Neil James; Professor John Hine, Victoria University of Wellington; and John Houlker, Industry NZ; (all Fellows of InternetNZ for their services to the development of the Internet in New Zealand); Simon Riley, Net Impact; and Roger De Salis, Cisco Systems (both InternetNZ Councillors).
The Steering Group's first job will be to bring together all the interested parties in the Tertiary sector, research community, the telecommunications sector, government, and the creative and cultural communities. One result of that meeting may be the creation of a joint private and public sector consortium to coordinate developments in Internet 2.
The priority of the Steering Group will be to focus not just on infrastructure, but also on the development of applications which bring content which take advantage of the increased bandwidth. "We've only just begun to consider the possibilities which this increased capacity will bring - on the table already are such diverse applications as virtual reality to aid remote diagnosis and other medical services, access to digital libraries, and teaching Music with advanced network video-conferencing" said Neil James, "so the key is to involve both the original technical experts and the extended creative communities."
Internet 2 will impact across a wide range of knowledge based sectors in New Zealand. The creation of a national strategic initiative on Internet 2 will be an important step forward in the developing Knowledge Economy in New Zealand.
"This is not just the original 'Internet 1' group recharging for the sequel; crucially we have some new entrants here from the high-tech business sector, who are in a number of cases now at the leading edge of advanced computer applications. The creativity they bring is a fundamental part of deploying the new applications." said John Houlker.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Sue Leader, InternetNZ ph (04) 472 1600 or (021) 673-300
Neil James, Assistant Director (IT Policy), Information Services Division,
University of Otago, Phone (03) 479-8594, Mobile 021 393-123
Background material:
Internet 2
The next stage of Internet development in academia.
National Laboratory for Advanced Network Research (NLANR)
NLANR provides technical, engineering, and traffic analysis support for high-performance network service providers and users.
Next Generation Internet Initiative
US Federal investment into R&D and research networks to develop the Next Generation Internet.
University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID)
UCAID is a non-profit consortium, led by university members working in partnership with corporate and affiliate members, to provide leadership and direction for advanced networking development within the university community.
APAC : Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing
APAC is developing plans for an Australian Information Infrastructure Testbed with other industry organisations
http://www.apac.edu.au/communication_media/media_releases/GrangeNet%20release.pdf
Internet2: The Once and Future Net
July 10, 2001
