1. Clara Spring 2003 Internet 2 Member Meeting International Task Force Arlington, Virginia

2. Clara Some history A strong “human network” with 10 years of collaboration among LA countries –ENRED: an association for information and opportunities sharing –WALC: (Workshops for Internet and networking in LA) 5 years doing technical training and regional politics analysis –LACNIC: (Latin American Internet domain name administration) successful initiative from LA participation in ICANN

3. Clara Some initial regional networking efforts…

4. Clara The “Pacto Andino” Network Active up to 1996 Active up to 1996 No activity at present No activity at present

5. Clara RedHucyt: Central America and Caribbean Satellite based Satellite based Supported by OAS up to 1998 Supported by OAS up to 1998 Currently Inactive Currently Inactive

6. Clara Argentina-Chile Connection Supported by Fundaciones Andes & Antorchas up to 1997 Supported by Fundaciones Andes & Antorchas up to 1997 Currently Inactive Currently Inactive

7. Clara Present I2 Connectivity in LA Countries AmPath

8. Clara Panamerican Emergia ImpSat Transandino UniSur Global Crossing New cable infrastructure in Latin America

9. Clara New cables in the Caribbean (Maya & Arcos) Maya Arcos

10. Clara Global Crossing Infrastructure in South America.

11. Clara AMPATH  Active since 2001 for Chile, Brasil and Argentina.  Access to Abilene (Internet2)  Access to Startap and transit to Europe, Canada & other Advanced Networks

12. Clara AMPATH´s achievements Initial boost for Advanced Networking in LA Stimulus for advanced connectivity inside each country Motivation for collaborative project

13. Clara New Initiatives... @LIS: Alliance for the Information Society –62.5 Million Euros for EU-LA collaboration on Information Society Issues 10 Million Euros for Interconnecting Europe & Latin American Researchers

14. Clara...New Initiatives CAESAR: CAESAR: Connecting All European and South American Researchers. EU sponsored study on Latin American Academic and Research Networks CAESAR Workshop 2002 in Toledo became CLARA starting point Feasibility Study proved that budget enables to establish advanced connectivity to all LA countries

15. Clara...New Initiatives

16. Clara Objectives To link Latin American NRENs with a Regional Network. To promote development of Academic & Scientific Networks where they presently do not exist. Project open to participation from every LA&C country To enable collaboration with other similar initiatives

17. Clara Argentina Brasil Bolivia Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Ecuador El Salvador Honduras Guatemala México Nicaragua Panamá Paraguay Perú Rep. Dominicana Uruguay Venezuela CLARA Member Countries

18. Clara CLARA Activities May 2002: Brussels @LIS Interconnection Initiative Launched June 2002: EU-LA Meeting in Toledo. Toledo Statement signed. July 2002: LA Networking Initiatives meet in Rio. CLARA agreement established. September 2002: Coordinating Committee of CLARA meets in Buenos Aires September 2002: CLARA & ICT TF meeting in Rio. November 2002: EU-CLARA meeting in Santiago

19. Clara NREN requirements: Strong and well established national organizations providing service to users. Routing from the national backbones to Internet2 and other Advanced Networks should be transparent to the user.

20. Clara LA NRENs presently connected to Internet2 and other Advanced Networks…

21. Clara

22. Clara REUNA

23. Clara

24. Clara Abundante Media Escasa 4 with advanced connectivity 8 in the near future 57 with low speed connectivity

25. Clara Proposed Topology for the CLARA backbone

26. Clara Backbone Time Table January 2003: technical definitions May 2003: Open bid for provisioning of capacity and equipment June/July 2003: Contracts assigned September/October 2003: Start of network operations

27. Clara CLARA Working Groups Coordination: Nelson Simoes (BR), Lito Ibarra (SV) y DANTE Organization & Statutes: I.Holz (UY), A.Barrera (PA), C.Frank (AR) Financing: F.Utreras (CL), C.Casasús (MX), DANTE Technology: M.Stanton (BR), G.Cicileo (AR), G.deTeramond (CR), Communications: S.Venturo (PE), J.Berrizbeitia (VE), Applications: A.Pisanty (MX), …

28. Clara Legal Form and Registration Legal form: International Civil Association under the laws of Uruguay Non profit organization Legal registration documentation is expected to be completed in May 2003 Functionally operative in July 2003

29. Clara Statutes: Objectives a)Development of a regional network to interconnect the NRENs operated by its members b)Planning and implementation of network services for regional interconnection c)Coordination amongst LA-NREN and other stakeholders d)Cooperation for the promotion of scientific and technologic development

30. Clara Members and Directive Bodies Members: Active and Observers (NREN in process of formation) Associates: Financial Contributors Bodies: –General Members Assembly, –Board of Directors, –Auditing Committee, –Electoral Committee, –Technical Commitee and –Working Groups

31. Clara Operations Legal office in Montevideo, Uruguay Centralized Executive Direction and Secretariat office located in one of the member countries

32. Clara Connectivity arrangements with non-ALICE partners Connectivity with other initiatives, partners and providers is planned (Internet2, CENIC, Ampath…)

33. Clara Tijuana SDSCC Cd Juárez MERIDA CAMPECHE VILLAHERMOSA VERACRUZ JALAPA POZA RICATULA PACHUCA REYNOSA A HOUSTON vBNS SALTILLO ZACATECAS AGUASCALIENTES LEON GTO QUERETARO UTEP México Guadalajara Monterrey Cudi is in the process of acquiring fiber connectivity into the US in Tijuana and El Paso which will support adequate connectivity from Clara to the US To CLARA

34. Clara CLARA: an opportunity...for Science, Technology and Education: an instrument for collaboration and new applications development....for TELCOs: demand stimulation for new services...for Governments: a tool for development and global integration.

35. Clara Thank you!!! Carlos Casasús ccasasus@cudi.edu.mx Cudi Mexico