Solution helps University System of Georgia expand PeachNet services to more than 300,000 users and position for cost-effective growth: ADVA Optical Networking today announced that the University System of Georgia has deployed the ADVA Fiber Service Platform (FSP) 3000RE optical transport system to expand PeachNet, a statewide communications network supporting more than 60 University System of Georgia (USG) sites, as well as other government agencies, education institutions and public libraries in the state. The ADVA Optical Networking solution supports high-bandwidth research and online learning applications—as well as Internet access, video, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and business applications—for millions of users across the state. “The demand for PeachNet bandwidth is always increasing,” said John Scoville, executive director, enterprise infrastructure services, with the USG. “It’s critical that our colleges, universities and libraries constantly incorporate new technologies such as collaborative research connections, online courses, online databases and sophisticated business applications to provide a relevant educational experience and most effectively manage operations. At the same time, users beyond higher education are tapping into PeachNet to access services they previously could not afford. This new service promises to enhance PeachNet’s capabilities and centralize services across the network.” With the completion of a third major phase of PeachNet development, the ADVA FSP 3000RE delivers services at speeds reaching 10Gbit/s across a network now covering 2,400 miles. Greater bandwidth for collaborative research applications was the primary reason the USG upgraded its network. PeachNet also now supports distance learning, including engineering classes with streaming video shared among participants in Georgia and California over Internet2’s nationwide research and education backbone network. PeachNet links the entire University System of Georgia, five private higher-education institutions, two K-12 school systems, 350 public libraries and more than a half dozen other agencies, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the state departments of audits and transportation. “As the USG continues its growth plans with PeachNet—to support more innovative applications such as high-definition television, to connect more users and to build more redundancy into the network—the FSP 3000RE will provide the flexibility and scalability necessary for future enhancements,” said Ron Martin, chief marketing and strategy officer with ADVA Optical Networking. “ADVA Optical Networking has a strong background in deploying successful research-and-education network solutions in the United States and around the globe, and we look forward to ongoing cooperation with USG to support more services for more users.”