The CAREN Project

 Launched in January 2009, the Central Asian Research and Education Network (CAREN) project aims to:

• establish and operate a high-capacity regional R&E network in Central Asia based on broadband Internet (with minimum link capacities of 34 Mbps);
• improve intra-regional connectivity across Central Asia by replacing existing low-capacity satellite connections with terrestrial fibre;
• facilitate R&E collaborations between Central Asia and Europe via connection with GÉANT;
• seek synergies with user communities in neighbouring regions, i.e. Asia-Pacific (TEIN3) and the South Caucasus (BSI);
• act as a catalyst for the development of sustainable national research networking in the five former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan;
• decrease the digital divide, combat brain drain and promote regional development and cohesion;
• support and promote collaborative network applications in areas of high societal impact, such as telemedicine, seismology, distance education, energy and water resources management and environmental studies;
• pave the way for sustainability of the network after CAREN.

Funding

The Europe Aid Co-operation Office (AIDCO) of the European Commission is contributing 80% (€5m) towards the costs of the project with the remaining funds being provided by the partners on the basis of a cost-sharing model. The project is expected to last until the end of 2011 with the possibility of an extension of a further 12 months.