Brussels, 17/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Researchers and students from the Black Sea region will soon be able to work with their peers in some 40 European countries. On Tuesday 17 March, the European Commission announced that the Black Sea Interconnection (BSI), the EU-funded regional research and education network, would shortly be linked to the pan-European, GÉANT2 broadband network. Work on this project will extend over 24 months, beginning on 17 March 2009. The Commission, said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding, wants to make sure that the development of the internet does not leave any blanks in global research. “This major project underpins a number of key aims for EU policy within the Black Sea region,” added External Relations and European neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
With speeds of between 34 and 100 megabits per second, GÉANT2 broadband connections will mean that there can be much closer cooperation between researchers and scientists in the region who, without this connection, could not be involved in innovative projects and scientific studies in cutting-edge sectors. Some 377 universities and research institutes in the Western Caucasus will be able to make use of the highly advanced services offered by GÉANT2 connections, which brings together 34 national research networks, extending the range of research and education in the Western Caucasus and in Europe. The ordinary people of the region will also benefit from this development, particularly in terms of healthcare. Doctors will be able to make remote diagnoses and prescribe treatment for those in isolated regions. New internet services will also be developed, such as e-administration and e-trade. The education sector will also see new developments through the use of information and communication technologies. The Commission's current funding for GÉANT comes from the European Union's overall research programme for 2004-2009, worth €93 million over 58 months. GÉANT2 took over from GÉANT in 2004, and GÉANT3 will pick up the baton at the end of 2009. It will allow data to be stored, transmitted and analysed as never before. (I.L./transl.rt)