For whom?
Service providers
Service providers that want to offer high bandwidth and/or low latency services.
NetherLight members can establish Layer 1 or Layer 2 network connections to other NetherLight members and their customers. Thanks to NetherLight's marketplace concept, it’s easy to share available connections dynamically with other customers.
Services include: storage, computing, virtual machines, instruments, etc.
Carriers
Carriers and network providers can offer their high-bandwidth services through NetherLight.
Many carriers’ potential customers are connected to NetherLight and the GLIF community. It’s very easy to take advantage of a link to NetherLight because there is no need to build a separate fibre connection to the end user. Thanks to NetherLight's marketplace concept, it’s easy to share available connections dynamically with other customers.
Example: A university connected to SURFnet needs a lightpath connection to a non-SURFnet connected location. The university can ask carriers connected to NetherLight to offer them a connection from NetherLight to the remote location. The lightpath then consists of two parts: one belonging to SURFnet and one to the carrier. Fewer fibres need to be installed, cutting down on costs and installation time.
Research
Researchers who need high-speed network connections to research resources all over the world.
Through NetherLight, lightpaths can be set up from a university to a research company, for example. The lightpath can be used to transfer data on a connection that is isolated from the Internet. The lightpath offers a guaranteed bandwidth and low latency. Examples of research fields that are using lightpaths today are: mass spectrometry, energy sciences, astronomy, ultra high quality video, etc.
GLIF members
GLIF members or other GOLEs who want to use the Global Lambda Integrated Facility by passing through NetherLight.
These networks or link providers can use NetherLight as a hub to reach the rest of the GLIF infrastructure. Once they are connected, NetherLight will interconnect all services to other participants.
NRENs
Many NRENs are using lightpaths to offer their connected institutions exclusive, high-quality network connections.
In order to facilitate international collaboration between their connected institutions, NRENs use cross-border fibres to interconnect their lightpaths to the NRENs of neighbouring countries. By connecting directly to NetherLight, they can reach more NRENs around the globe.