What national facilities are needed Two groups considered this question. Both decided the issue was not what the underlying network topology should look like, but what additional facilities should be built upon it. Two way video support for tutorial sessions is necessary, if true distributed or distance teaching and learning is to be made a reality, as is on-line submission of assignments for assessment. They will include HEFCs, Research Councils, FEFCs, HEIs, FEs and LEAs. There was some discussion on whether or not schools and libraries should also be included, however on balance it was decided that they should fall into a second category which the stakeholders might wish to connect if there was an interest.
Content providers provide information.
To deliver information in the best way delivery applications needs to be integrated with the network. The message was that the provision of production quality services would find difficulty in building special relationships with the company. The groups at BT Research Facility at Martlesham however seem keen to be involved with the research elements of future networks. The company are investing heavily to support such an infrastructure. Their intention is to move towards being a total service provider paying particular attention to content rather than just the underlying technology.