In a public tender in compliance with European regulations GigaPort received thirteen offers with proposals for the realisation of Global Connectivity. Global Crossing was made preferred supplier for part of this tender. The aim of the cooperation between GigaPort and Global Crossing is the realisation of global connectivity from the SURFnet5 backbone location in Amsterdam.
This connection will have a speed of 1 Gigabit per second. GigaPort and Global Crossing will also realise a Virtual Private Network connection between Amsterdam and the SURFnet Point of Presence in Chicago, which will be built within the GigaPort project. The PoP in Chicago will replace the current SURFnet PoP in New York City, and like the current PoP it will be connected to the STAR TAP at a speed of 622 Mbit/s. Through STAR TAP GigaPort has connections to several high-speed networks in North America and Asia.
GigaPort is a joint project of the Dutch government, trade and industry, educational institutions and research institutes. The aim of GigaPort is to give the Netherlands a head start in the development and use of advanced, innovative technology. GigaPort Network, part of GigaPort, counts itself among the world's leading research networks and offers companies and institutions a state-of-the-art test environment for developing new (network) services. GigaPort is implemented under the authority of the GigaPort Steering Committee. GigaPort Network is realised by SURFnet; GigaPort Applications by the Telematica Instituut.