The content on this page and other DCITA document archive pages is provided to assist research and may contain references to activities or policies that have no current application. See the full archive disclaimer.
Advanced networks program
The Advanced Networks Program (ANP) concluded on 30 June 2007. All program funding has been allocated.
The ANP was established in 2000 as part of Building Information Technology Strengths (BITS)—a key initiative funded from the partial sale of Telstra.
The ANP funded three projects, two of which provided very high capacity (up to 10 gigabits per second) networks linking Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane (CeNTIE and GrangeNet). These networks enabled research into and commercialisation of network technologies, virtual environments, trusted systems (for example, telepresence systems and virtual network operators), grid computing (for example, instrument and data grids) and leading edge broadband applications.
The third ANP project (m.Net) established an advanced wireless third generation (3G) network test-bed that enabled research into and development of wireless network technologies, applications and content. Now that all the Australian commercial carriers have implemented 3G networks (following m.Net's pioneering of the technology) m.Net has established a role in the development, commercialisation and distribution of applications, content and services for commercial 3G mobile networks.
These advanced networks and test-beds focused on:
- experimentation in, and commercialisation of, leading edge network technologies and products;
- development, testing and trialing of advanced applications, services, products and content; and
- demonstration and delivery of next generation applications, products and services.
The ANP encouraged a collaborative approach to the development of advanced networks and test-beds. Such collaboration involved industry, telecommunications carriers, research institutions and the higher education sector.
Role of advanced networks
Advanced network test-beds are essential for the development of next-generation applications, products and services for the information and communications technology industry and other industry sectors. For example, the development of next generation tele-health applications has the potential to revolutionise some aspects of clinical care.
The importance of advanced network connectivity for e-Research and industry research and development is recognised in reports such as Australia's Broadband Connectivity and the 
Higher Education Bandwidth Advisory Committee.
Program achievements
The ANP delivered major advanced network innovations, such as building the first high capacity (10 gigabits per second) network in the southern hemisphere providing point-to-point optical light paths and user-configurable multi-drop virtual local area networks (VLANs); fostering the development of grid computing and services in Australia; and establishing Australia’s first 3G mobile wireless service.
Through collaboration with a range of industry sectors, the ANP projects also designed and developed a range of leading edge applications and network technologies for the health, media, sport, mobile services and finance sectors, several of which are being commercialised.
Some of the new applications developed include the Virtual Critical Care Unit (ViCCU®) which uses video over Internet protocol technology to enable a specialist located at one hospital to supervise a surgical team located at a peripheral hospital. The ViCCU® is being commercialised by Telstra.
A haptic surgical training system that uses 3D networked technology that simulates feel and touch feedback to train surgeons in temporal bone drilling was also developed and is being commercialised by Medic Vision.
A new tele-echocardiography system that enables real-time remote consultations and diagnosis between doctors at three hospitals in Tasmania was trialled. This system provides clinicians with a highly interactive examination facility and transmission of rapidly moving images.
Australia’s media sector benefited through access to a high capacity broadband network that enabled media and post-production film companies in Sydney to collaborate (for content production) using secure network facilities such as a large-scale shared storage system. Individual institutions are connected with 1 Gbps tails.
Australia ’s mobile content developers also benefited through the establishment of trial platforms, support for innovative 3G mobile wireless services and marketing linkages in North Asia and Europe for distribution of applications and content for 3G mobile telephone services.
In addition, academic research was supported through Australian researchers’ use of the advanced networks for e-Research and to participate in national and international collaborative projects with industry, public funded institutions, universities and research centres.
Funding the ANP
The Australian Government provided $21 million over three years to extend the Advanced Networks Program (ANP) from 2004-05 to 2006-07. This brought the total Australian Government funding for the program to $60 million since it commenced in 2000.
The additional funding enabled CeNTIE, GrangeNet and m.Net to continue and intensify their research and to explore opportunities to commercialise leading-edge broadband applications and network technologies. It also enabled them upgrade their technology and make extensions to their networks.
Please note that no new funding is available under the ANP.