EUMEDCONNECT

EC has also pioneered investment to connect mediterranean countries (North Africa and Middle East) to support research and education networking between them internally and between them and Europe as well : the EUMEDCONNECT. The role of the governments and/or mediterranean NRENs to support this project and their national networks has contributed to the success of the initiative: user community starting to rely on the infrastructure.

EUMEDCONNECT:

• 11 Mediterranean Countries connected since 2004, 7 wholly reliant
• Serving 1.4M users in 400+ Institutions
• Network traffic growing over 50% per year
• Over 100 projects Connected
• Major users include EUMEDGRIDMedGeNet
• Closely connected to GEANT2
  
• The only large-scale R&E e-infrastructure serving the Mediterranean region
• EC EUMEDIS funding of EUMEDCONNECT ends Dec 2007
• EUMEDCONNECT planned to continue to end Q2 2008 with partner funding
• CAMREN is a very important demonstration of partner commitment
  

EUMEDCONNECT2 plans:

• Provide higher capacity, more cost effective infrastructure
• Active promotion of network for FP7 and other research projects, tele-medecine and environmental applications
• Extended coverage to additional Mediterranean and Gulf NRENs
• Project managed with the CAMREN consortium
• Some EC funding now expected but still being negotiated (The Brussels event has helped!)
• Continued financial commitment from MED partners is essential

Source/Courtesy EUMEDCONNECT, Dante

Credits: Dany Vandromme (RENATER)