Gigantic Leap in International Network Capacity for Australian Researchers The Souther n Cross Trans-Pacific Optical Research Testbed ( SX TransPORT ) will fundamentally change the way that Australian scientists and researchers participate in global research initiatives and will vastly expand the horizons for delivering immersive educational programs and content. SX TransPORT will provide dual 10 gigabit per second capacity circuits, sponsored by Southern Cross, connecting Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet) to the advanced Research and Educations Networks in North America, as part of a bundle of services, for approved non-commercial scientific, research and educational use. Schematic diagrams of the new infrastructure and interconnections to other global research and education networks are shown at: www.aarnet.edu.au/news/pacific10gbs.jpg and www.aarnet.edu.au/news/international.jpg. The initiative results from a partnership between Southern Cross and AARNet to catalyse new, effective ways for Australia’s research community
to participate in and contribute to global escience programs. The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP approved funding of $16.4 million as a contribution by the
Australian Government towards the total cost of the project of $44.8 million, see: http://www.dest.gov.au/ ministers/nelson/N_media.asp?y=2003&m=12. The initiative will reduce the cost of use of very high bandwidth for Australian researchers, effectively
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