A major expansion of 400 gigabits per second (Gbps) transoceanic circuit capacity has been dedicated to transferring research and education (R&E) data. As part of the Advanced North Atlantic (ANA) collaboration, this marks a significant achievement in high-speed connectivity between North America and Europe, supporting data-intensive science globally.
The joint effort between Internet 2, CANARIE, the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), and GÉANT adds three 400 Gbps spectrum circuits between exchange points in the US, UK, and France. The new connections utilize the record-breaking 400 terabits per second (Tbps) trans-Atlantic Amitié subsea cable system, which was completed in July 2023 and spans 6,783 kilometers (4,215 miles). The adaptability and scalability of these spectrum circuits allows for substantial capacity expansion using existing infrastructure. This can be accomplished through potential future upgrades to the equipment at exchange points.
Through the addition of the new circuits, the combined capacity of the ANA collaboration's trans-Atlantic network is now 2.4 Tbps.
International Collaboration for Intercontinental Connectivity
"We are thrilled to be part of this momentous undertaking alongside our partners Internet2, ESnet, and GÉANT," said Mark Wolff, Chief Technology Officer at CANARIE. "This advancement in trans-Atlantic high-speed connectivity will enable researchers and students in Canada to contribute to, and benefit from, global scientific discoveries and is truly a testament to the collaborative ethos of the global research and education networking community."
ANA's network expansion supports multinational, data-intensive science collaborations, including the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator, and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the ongoing effort to build the world's largest radio astronomy observatory. It adds much-needed capacity for transmitting instrument findings to researchers globally, enabling ground-breaking discoveries.
"Being among the first to deliver spectrum-based 400 Gbps transoceanic connections dedicated to research and education is a truly pioneering achievement," said James Deaton, VP of Network Services at Internet2. "Internet2 is proud to collaborate with CANARIE, ESnet, and GÉANT to reach this significant milestone for resilient and robust global connectivity, and we are excited by the possibilities created collectively to accelerate scientific discovery across continents and around the world."
"As the world region with which GÉANT exchanges the most international R&E traffic, the R&E networks in the US and Canada stand as key strategic partners for GÉANT. This long-standing collaboration is a fundamental element in the fabric of global research," said Paul Rouse, Chief Community Relations Officer at GÉANT. "GÉANT welcomes this historical milestone as a key step into the next generation of trans-Atlantic connectivity. We are proud of this contribution and look forward to further contributing to the ANA collaboration."