TEN-34CZ project: high-speed academic network and applications

In 1994, the report "Europe and the Global Information Society" called for creating an advanced telecommunications network to interconnect the national research networks (NRN) across Europe. The resulting pan-European TEN-34 (Trans-European Network Interconnect at 34 Mbps) started operating in May 1997. It is co-funded by the EU and consists of some 18 NRNs. One of these NRNs is our TEN-34CZ network, which was opened in June 1997. The TEN-34 network was implemented by a Consortium of European NRNs. DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network To Europe), a non-profit organisation formed by European NRNs, became the co-ordinator of the resulting TEN-34 project. The progress of TEN-34 project has been rather slow and subject to some delays. The main problems were: deciding about the protocol used (pure IP, IP/ATM or ATM), and procuring 34 Mbps lines at a reasonable price (4-5 times the price of 2 Mbps circuits) from telecom operators who were afraid of competition of their own customers. Finally, some compromises were reached. The TEN-34 network consists of two separate parts, each using a separate technology: an IP network plus an IP/ATM network. Both parts are interconnected in three points (Frankfurt, Geneva and London). Most telecom operators decided to cooperate with their customers and agreed on a reasonable price after the NRNs had pledged not to use the high-speed circuits for commercial purposes.