JANET(UK) Works With Verizon to Power Next-Generation UK Education and Research Network Using 100 Gigabit Solution

READING, England, June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- JANET(UK), the provider of the U.K.'s education and research network, called JANET, has worked with Verizon to produce a networking solution to support a first for global education and collaboration in the U.K. -- the ability for academic institutions to collaborate online over ultra-fast broadband, running at up to 100G (gigabits per second).

The Verizon solution also gives JANET a platform that can not only support the U.K.'s educational needs today, but will also provide a foundation on which future innovative educational services can be offered.

Managed by JANET(UK), the JANET network connects the U.K.'s academic community, helping teachers and students at universities, colleges, schools and research councils to access and share information – text, images and video --  daily, and is constantly working to deliver innovative educational services.

"Verizon is an innovative communications company with a long history of devising advanced solutions for our customers around the world," said Michael Bauer, director of European network planning for Verizon. "We have a great opportunity to share our engineering and network expertise with JANET(UK), and this teamwork gives the U.K. academic community an opportunity to use the latest technology available in the marketplace."

Verizon's extensive experience and strong understanding of JANET(UK)'s business objectives made the company the best fit to work with the organization from a technical, engineering, network operations and cultural perspective.

Jeremy Sharp, head of JANET(UK)'s Strategic Technologies division, said: "We have a strong reputation for serving education and research, and we are widely recognized as having a critical role to play in the U.K.'s future economic prosperity. JANET(UK) is committed to supporting the future of U.K. research and education. At a time when research and education is being asked to do more with less, this is a great example of how technology can not only be innovative, but a power innovation."

Verizon is a global network communications leader in driving better business outcomes for enterprises and government agencies.  Verizon delivers integrated IT and communications solutions via its global IP and mobility networks to enable businesses to securely access information, share content and communicate.  Verizon is rapidly transforming to a cloud-based "everything-as-a-service" delivery model that will put the power of enterprise-class solutions within the reach of every business.  Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About JANET(UK)

JANET(UK) manages the operation and development of JANET on behalf of JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) for the UK Further and Higher Education Funding Councils. JISC also works in partnership with the Research Councils.  JANET(UK) is government funded, with the primary aim of providing and developing a network infrastructure that meets the needs of the education and research communities.

About JANET

JANET is the network dedicated to the needs of education and research in the UK. It connects the UK's education and research organizations to each other, as well as to the rest of the world through links to the global Internet. In addition, JANET includes a separate network that is available to the community for experimental activities in network development.

Trademarks

JANET® and JANET(UK)® are registered trademarks of the Higher Education Funding Councils for England, Scotland and Wales. The JNT Association is the registered user of these trademarks.

About JISC:

The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) supports further and higher education by providing strategic guidance, advice and opportunities to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support teaching, learning, research and administration. JISC is funded by all the UK post-16 and higher education funding councils: JISC - www.jisc.ac.uk

SOURCE Verizon