New Nationwide Network Delivers 100 Gigabits per Second with Ability to Expand: Level 3 Communications' Business Markets Group today announced that the Internet2 nationwide, dedicated network services backbone is operational. This new 100 Gigabits per second (Gbps) network delivers an immediate increase in bandwidth and the capability for future scalability to enable emerging applications for the Internet2 research and education community. The network delivers the underlying optical technology required for Internet2 to dynamically provision multiple 10 Gbps wavelengths. This milestone enables Internet2 to remain on schedule to complete member migration from the existing network to this new backbone by later this year. "With more than 10 times the capacity of the current Internet2 backbone network, this powerful new network unlocks significant technology possibilities for our members," said Doug Van Houweling, Internet2 president and chief executive officer. "Level 3's innovative and collaborative spirit has helped keep this large and complex network project on track, even delivering the network ahead of schedule. With this latest major milestone in our network deployment, Internet2 will continue to focus our efforts on providing a smooth and seamless transition from the current network onto the new platform." The new Internet2 network is designed to provide point-to-point dedicated circuits and IP services that can support next-generation applications in critical fields like telemedicine, radio astronomy, distance-learning and energy sciences research. The network will also serve as a platform for network researchers to develop new networking ideas and protocols. Created to enable a wide variety of bandwidth-intensive applications currently in use and under development at campuses and research labs, the network is designed to support growth and changes in Internet2 member requirements over time. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement announced in June of 2006, Level 3 is providing dedicated backbone facilities comprising 13,500 long-haul route miles, multiple customer colocation suites and newly deployed metro fiber. Under the agreement, Level 3 is also providing wavelength and high-speed IP services to Internet2 with options for private line, metro and long-haul dark fiber services to interconnect the backbone with academic institutions. "We are very pleased to have completed the delivery of a network of this scale for Internet2," said Randy Dunbar, senior vice president of offer management for Level 3's Business Markets Group. "We are proud to be an Internet2 business partner and to be providing a network that delivers increased bandwidth and scalability, enabling research and education communities to capitalize on technology innovations."