JANET teams with AQL for 3G mobile data service

The JANET(UK) education and research network has announced the launch of a new 3D data service for education institutions and research organisations. The new JANET 3G service will be available from June and be provided by aql, using the 3G data network of 3 UK. JANET 3G will allow academic and support staff to remotely access vital resources such as research data, virtual learning environments and library catalogues whilst on the move. JANET has received over 60 enquiries from both universities and colleges about this service in the first week of launch. It will offer a wide range of price plans to help education organisations to match their users' needs, ranging from low usage M2M plans to genuine 15 GB data allowances for demanding users. Customers will be able to choose to use a press-out SIM card with the iPad and other tablets; add a dongle for individual users; or create a Wi-Fi hub for up to five users with a Mi-Fi device. Communications Minister Ed Vaizey welcomed the move to provide wireless broadband for the academic community, saying it would also help the government achieve its target of having the best broadband in Europe by 2015.