1. From Philadelphia to Philadelphia Salem Al-Agtash, Ph.D. ASREN/ German Jordanian University - Jordan Internet 2 Meeting – Philadelphia, 4.10.2012 alagtash@ASRENOrg.net

2. Outline • ASREN Overview • Status of Arab e-infrastructures and connectivity • Towards developing regional connectivity • Future perspectives

3. Arab States Research and Education Network • EUMEDCONNECT, 2004 --> [1], [2], [3] • PAN Arab Network, 2005 • Rome Declaration 2006 - CAMREN • NAP, the Network Access Points 2007 • ASREN, 2010 • EUMED - Brussels, March • League of Arab States – Cairo, Dec. • ASREN GmbH - Dusseldorf, June 2011 • Abu-Ghazaleh & Consulting GmbH • Jordan University Network • Moroccan CNRST • Sudan REN • Somal REN

4. Key drivers • Regional research currently lags significantly • A regional network of collaboration is unrealized • Research portfolio in the region is dynamic and is showing a growing volume of excellence • With increasing research growth, there is a potential for more scientific activities • Resources are enormous and potential for achievement and innovation is vast. • Development of human capital and enhanced research infrastructure are critical to enabling a further growth

5. Status in the Arab region

6. The EUMEDCONNECT • R&E network project 2004 -2014 (3 phases), 14M Euro of EC funding • The only regional R&E Network in the Arab Region • NRENs in Algeria (ARN), Egypt (EUN), Tunisia (CCK), Jordan (JUNET), Morocco (MARWAN), Palestine (PALNET) and Syria (HIAST) were connected to its European counterpart GÉANT • Served more than 2 million users in around 700 institutions

7. Interconnecting Arab States National R&E Networks • Regional connectivity of Arab NREN’s towards a better future growth and prosperity • Initial interconnectivity model Internet Géant Internet2 Other NREN ASRENDANTE/ London Palestine PALEN Ankabut Morocco CNRS Algeria - ARN

8. RCN/ JADI cable systems

9. SEA-ME-WE 4 cable system

10. With activation of various affordable cable systems (e.g. RDC, JADI, TGN-Gulf, IMEWE, SMW-4, etc. ) Capacity prices would fall, then More and more Arab NREN’s will connect with each other and become a hub between continents Governments enforce low Tariffs and subsidize for the Last mile connection to local NRENs Hopes

11. Géant, Internet2 and RENs worldwide Interconnecting Regional RENs Internet ASREN WACREN UbuntuNet

12. A logical topology • Could be cost efficient to rest on two or three regional hubs • Fujairah Smarthub could be emerging as an aggregation of important R&E landings

13. Summary • Increasing interest in building regional Arab R&E network as globalization of e-Infrastructure became inevitable – Strength • Lack of physical connection and no regional network of collaboration - Weakness • Continuing of EC funding on regional efforts for e-Infrastructure and a growing excellence of Arab research portfolio - Opportunity • Lack of vision and motivation at the regional policy level – Threat

14. ASRENOrg.net