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Calls & Context
EUMEDCONNECT Phase 1
Background
The Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference of 27-28 November 1995 stressed in its economic chapter that the support for the development of the scientific and technological community of the Mediterranean partner countries (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian authority, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey), together with the upgrade and modernisation of local telecommunication infrastructure, are two pivotal elements for the success of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
In February 1999 the European Commission approved a comprehensive regional MEDA initiative for development of the Euro-Mediterranean Information Society specifically designed to reduce the region's informational and technological gap vis-a-vis the neighbouring countries. The name of this initiative is EUMEDIS (Euro-MEDiterranean Information Society).
Internet connectivity is a relatively scarce resource in the Mediterranean partner countries; there is virtually no direct inter-Mediterranean connectivity (between 2 Mediterranean countries), modest internal connectivity (among research centres in a given partner country) and very modest Euro-Mediterranean connectivity.
One of the main objectives of EUMEDIS is to fund the (Internet based) interconnection between the Research Networking of the Mediterranean partner countries (intra) as well as with the European research networking (inter) (EUMEDIS Initiative Strand one Lot 2). This intra and inter-connectivity will not only boost the development of the Internet in each Mediterranean country, but will also create an infrastructure all around the Mediterranean region, which will transport any sort of co-operative research application developed by the partners of the Barcelona process.
Abstract
The project EUMEDCONNECT addresses Strand 1 Lot 2 of the EUMEDIS initiative. The project is supported by DG EuropeAid. It will improve connectivity for research and education within the region by providing additional international IP infrastructure and connect EUMEDIS partner countries to GEANT. EUMEDCONNECT aims to foster research collaboration between Europe and the Mediterranean regions, and assist the pilot IP applications being funded through EUMEDIS Strand 2. Once the first phase is completed (Phase 1 is contracted) it is intended to tender, implement and operate the network designed in Phase 1 (Phase 2 to be contracted during 2002).
Objectives
EUMEDCONNECT Phase 1 assesses how best to achieve the following objectives:
- To provide international connectivity that links Mediterranean NRENs to the GEANT pan-European research network, and to any other Research Networking accessible through GEANT;
- To increase international research networking connectivity within the Mediterranean region;
- To provide international network services that assist the Information Society Pilot Applications projects supported under Strand 2 of EUMEDIS and the research and education communities in each of the beneficiary countries;
- To promote good practice in providing effective network services within each beneficiary country; and
- To ensure that the network services and international structures set up as part of the project are sustainable beyond the end of the project.
EUMEDCONNECT Phase 2 will implement the IP infrastructure designed in Phase 1.
The EUMEDIS area
Technical Approach
EUMEDCONNECT Phase 1 will survey current international IP service available to the 12 EUMEDIS countries, current levels and future requirements for international connectivity available to their Research Networking, drawing extensively on the local knowledge and expertise of the MED-NRENs. It will also survey potential supplier's capabilities and plans in the region. Technical requirements for interconnecting and managing additional infrastructure will be developed, and particularly for interconnection to GEANT particularly drawing on the expertise of the EU-NRENs. Proposals for the commercial model, network topology and contractual relationships will be generally lead by DANTE with contributions sought from all participants to develop a sound basis for progressing into the next phase of the project.
This methodology draws on the expertise of the participants to test the practicality and identify the best approaches to achieve the objective of EUMEDIS Strand 1 Lot 2 objectives.
The MED-NREN's will represent the views of their national research networking organisations and provide on the ground knowledge of their networking capabilities and needs. The participating European NREN's have extensive experience in co-operating with the EUMEDIS countries and in establishing organisational and financial structures for international research networking to bring to the Study. DANTE has expertise in providing international networking services for all European NREN's, and is acting as Co-ordinating Partner for GEANT.
Expected Results
The project will assess how to improve the capabilities for international research networking between Europe and the Mediterranean, with the aim of fostering greater collaboration and cohesion between the regions, and within the Mediterranean region. Any subsequent implementation would also assist the development of the EUMEDIS Strand 2 pilot IP application projects.
EUMEDCONNECT has the potential to accelerate the development of connectivity for international research within the Mediterranean region, with benefits for the wider economies and societies of the region. Its benefits could be extended into the wider communities with longer term benefits for development and prosperity in the Mediterranean area.
- Project name:
- EUMEDCONNECT Phase 1
EUMEDCONNECT Phase 2 - Contract no.:
- EUMEDIS Contract handled by the EuropeAid Co-ordination Office
- Project type:
- Grant
- Start date:
- 14/12/2001 EUMEDCONNECT Phase 1
15/11/2002 EUMEDCONNECT Phase 2 - Duration:
- Phase 1: 6 months
Phase 2: 43 months - Total budget:
- Phase 1: EUR243,800
Phase 2: up to EUR12.500,000 - Funding from the EC:
- Phase 1: EUR195,040
Phase 2: EUR12,000,000 - Total effort in person-months:
- 100
- Contact person:
- Dr. David West
David.West@dante.org.uk
tel.: +44 7713 117 542
fax.: +44 1223 303 005 - Project participants:
- CERIST - DZ
- CNRS - RL
- CYNET - CY
- DANTE - UK
- EUN - ET
- GCC - PL
- GRNET - GR
- HIAST - SYR
- INFN-GARR - IT
- IUCC - IL
- MARWAN - MA
- NIC - JOR
- REDiris - ES
- RENATER - FR
- RNRST - TN
- ULAKBIM - TR
- Univ. of Malta - M
- Keywords:
- EUMEDIS
- National Research and Education Networks
- Collaboration with other EC funded projects:
- CAESAR
- COMREN
- EUMEDIS Pilot Projects
- GEANT
- SERENATE