The GÉANT and RedCLARA Networks are interconnected by a 2.5Gbps link between Sao Paulo, Brazil and Madrid, Spain, procured under the EC-funded ALICE2 project. DANTE and CLARA required a Managed Network Link to provide continued interconnection between the GÉANT and RedCLARA Networks when the current contract term expires.

This procurement was for a single transatlantic link from a GÉANT PoP and upgrade of the extant GÉANT-RedCLARA link. The aim was to upgrade from the current 2.5Gbps capacity to 5Gbps whilst achieving savings over current spend in light of an increasingly competitive market environment. The minimum capacity acceptable was 2.5Gbps. Tenderers were asked to note that the link tendered for would be used for non-commercial purposes by the Latin American and EU NRENs as well as any EC-funded demonstration projects. There will be no commercial re-sale or commercial transit permitted over the procured link. Connectivity prices offered were expected to reflect the non-commercial nature of RedCLARA and DANTE; the education grant nature of the funding; the special opportunities it will give for boosting research and education within Latin America and between the region and Europe; and the fact that low cost connectivity for universities will generate graduates who demand the same level of access in the workplace thus bringing all the associated economic growth opportunities that long-term strategic investments in research and education networking have demonstrated in the World.