Teleglobe Preferred Supplier for Global Internet Connectivity GigaPort and Lambda-Connection StarLight

UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS -- In a public tender GigaPort has awarded Teleglobe 'preferred supplier' status for supplying a number of services for the global Internet connectivity of the GigaPort network. With Teleglobe GigaPort is now drafting a contract for the period of July 2001 until the end of 2002.

In a public tender in compliance with European regulations GigaPort received thirteen offers with proposals for the realisation of Global Connectivity. Teleglobe was made preferred supplier for part of this tender. The aim of the cooperation between GigaPort and Teleglobe is the realisation of global connectivity from the SURFnet5 backbone location at Hempoint in Amsterdam with a speed of 1 gigabit per second. GigaPort will also realise a 2.5 Gbit/s lambda connection with Teleglobe between SARA (the other SURFnet5 backbone location) and the StarLight (successor of STAR TAP) in Chicago, to be able to experiment with new types of technology for a completely optical Internet. This connection can be upgraded to a 10 Gbit/s capacity in the course of 2002.

Finally, GigaPort and Teleglobe will realise a Virtual Private Network connection from Hempoint to the SURFnet Point of Presence in Chicago, which will be built within the GigaPort project. The PoP in Chicago will replace the current SURFnet PoP in New York City, and like the current PoP it will be connected to the STAR TAP at a speed of 622 Mbit/s. Through STAR TAP GigaPort has connections to several high-speed networks in North America and Asia.

GigaPort
GigaPort is a joint project of the Dutch government, trade and industry, educational institutions and research institutes. The aim of GigaPort is to give the Netherlands a head start in the development and use of advanced, innovative technology. GigaPort Network, part of GigaPort, counts itself among the world's leading research networks and offers companies and institutions a state-of-the-art test environment for developing new (network) services. GigaPort is implemented under the authority of the GigaPort Steering Committee. GigaPort Network is realised by SURFnet; GigaPort Applications by the Telematica Instituut.

Teleglobe
Teleglobe, an established and leading provider of global communications and Internet services, enables its customers to maximize the potential of the Internet through its delivery of hosting services, content distribution and global connectivity. With a maximum lit capacity of 10 million+ Gbps-miles, 67 major POPs and 400,000 square feet of next generation hosting facilities (year-end 2001) Teleglobe is one of the world's largest international Internet backbone serving broad base of enterprise, ICP, ISP and carrier customers, Teleglobe is expanding its network with its GlobeSystem initiative, a multi-billion dollar IP network and hosting deployment that will increase current capacity 200-fold and provide a robust platform for a portfolio of Internet and data services.

(On the basis of this tender GigaPort has selected a second preferred supplier. See the press release: 'GigaPort selects Global Crossing as Preferred Supplier for Global Internet Connectivity')