Next Generation Internet Capability Study

InternetNZ

June 19 2002

Media release

Next Generation Internet Capability Study to Proceed

InternetNZ is pleased to announce that it has appointed Laurence Zwimpfer to lead the Capability Study for the establishment of a research and education network for New Zealand. This follows the Government's announcement of funding to support the Study, in which the Deputy Prime Minister said "Access to next generation Internet is crucial to fulfilling the government's aims of encouraging world-class innovation and strengthening global connections."

Mr Zwimpfer has 35 years experience in the telecommunications industry, over half of which has been applying new technology developments to address specific needs in business and the community. He has played a leading role in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands in the development and use of interactive communication technologies such as tele-conferencing and the Internet. He is currently responsible for the implementation of a Ministry of Education national education network for Maori.

Mr Zwimpfer will work with an InternetNZ project team to develop a plan for the implementation of the network. He will be consulting with potential industry partners, Government agencies, research and education organisations, and with other organisations requiring advanced Internet services. The Capability Study will confirm the resources required to set up the network, and explore the options for funding the initial setup, and the ongoing operation of the network. It will make recommendations for governance and operation of the network, and recommend an 'acceptable use policy', keeping in mind the demands of users, and any constraints imposed by partners and the nature of a research and education network. The report will also make initial recommendations on potential peering relationships to provide international connectivity with other next generation Internet networks such as Internet2 in the US an GEANT in Europe.

The final report from the Study, due in early August, will be in the form of a plan for the actual implementation of the network, including a recommended network architecture. It is planned that the network will initially connect major tertiary education institutions and research agencies throughout New Zealand with an initial backbone speed of not less than 2.5Gbits per second."

ENDS

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