Fibre Internet focus of discussions at InTAC Conference

Fibre Internet focus of discussions at InTAC Conference

Media Release – 10 July 2012

Today, over 120 Internet technical and networking experts will congregate in Auckland for the inaugural Internet Technical Architecture Conference (InTAC).

InTAC has been convened by InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) in an effort to help further discussion of technical and policy issues concerning the architecture of ultra-fast broadband and fibre networks.

The Conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development, Chorus and FX Networks features two international keynote speakers – Lev Gonick, Chief Information Officer at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and Geoff Huston, Chief Scientist at regional Internet registry APNIC.

Topics under discussion include RF overlay, ‘demand-side’ broadband, UFB implementation, domestic and international IP transit, and peering.

InternetNZ Chief Executive Vikram Kumar says InTAC is a rare opportunity for all those involved in developing fibre policy, building fibre networks, and those using the network to talk to one another about key technical underpinnings and future direction.

The subject of peering, in particular, has gained currency in recent years. Peering refers to the voluntary interconnection of separate Internet networks, and can result in increased Internet performance as data packets are able to take more direct paths.

Kumar notes a recent peering announcement from Wellington-based Internet backbone provider FX Networks as an example of a significant step forward for the New Zealand Internet.

FX has increased the number of settlement-free peering interconnection points it maintains. Many other New Zealand service providers, including Telecom, also have peering arrangements with one another.

“Keeping local Internet traffic local is a priority for keeping the New Zealand Internet more- unified, and FX are to be congratulated for helping bridge the many and varied sections of the New Zealand Internet,” he says.

An InternetNZ-commissioned report on Network Measurement will also feature at InTAC and REANNZ are set down to make an announcement, also concerning network measurement.
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