Overview

You know that Qwest^® provides an extensive collection of Internet and multimedia products and services, many of which were built upon the Internet technologies first invented by the university and research communities. But did you know that Qwest is also supporting innovation and ingenuity in those same organizations that will contribute to the future evolution of the Internet?

It's more than just talk. Internet2^®, Qwest, Cisco^® and Nortel^® joined forces several years ago with the intention of building a nationwide research and education network — an enormous test bed — to help support the needs and aspirations of researchers in U.S. universities. We quickly built the Abilene network, which was launched in February 1999.

You've probably heard of Cisco and Nortel, but you may not have heard of Internet2. Internet2 is a consortium of over 190 of the top U.S. universities, working in partnership with corporate and affiliate members to develop and deploy advanced network applications and technologies. Their goal is simple, to accelerate creation of the next generation Internet.

Abilene is a nationwide, high speed, Internet Protocol (IP) research and education network, which provides advanced services and abundant bandwidth to support the goals and activities of Internet2. Current uses include testing for cutting-edge Internet applications such as tele-immersion, virtual laboratories, distance learning, distributed performing arts, tele-medicine and digital libraries. Today Abilene supports connections to over 200 of the top U.S. universities and research sites, as well as international links — Abilene interconnects with research and education networks around the world, and provides transit across Abilene to international research networks.

Qwest has been a generous contributor to the creation and continued success and growth of Abilene. Abilene extends nationwide over the Qwest optical network infrastructure, and Qwest also provides facilities and engineering support for the Abilene Internet Protocol (IP) layer infrastructure. Qwest has ensured the widespread reach of Abilene by making access to Abilene available from many Qwest backbone points-of-presence (POP) across the United States. Even further, Qwest is now implementing the next generation Abilene backbone, quadrupling the speed of the network ,and has extended our commitment to Abilene and Internet2 for many more years to come.

Qwest is proud to be a key supporter of Internet2 and Abilene.