Internet2 has extended its deal with Level 3 Communications to secure dedicated optical wavelengths in addition to dark fiber.

Level 3 Communications will provision circuits for regional networks and other Internet2 members needing to cost-effectively extend their connectivity anywhere the Level 3 optical network reaches. Level 3 is in the process of expanding its coverage in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

The new service based on this new access is called WaveCo. WaveCo will provide Internet2 members – over 200 universities and about a dozen corporations – with access beyond the Internet2 Network footprint.

These services are being offered in advance of the completion of the Internet2 Network infrastructure, following Internet2’s Hybrid Optical Packet Infrastructure (HOPI) test project. The HOPI project examined hybrid packet and circuit switched optical infrastructures to understand next generation network architectures. When complete, the new Internet2 Network will provide advanced capabilities to support the work of computer scientists and researchers looking to push networking technologies even further.

The new network is scheduled to become operational during 2007.