A major upgrade that should lay the foundations for a broad-band European Union is planned for the spring.

The European Internet backbone, Ebone, is to introduce the high speed Internet in Europe in cooperation with France Telecom Network Services, Telia and Tele2 by upgrading its backbone to carry data at 34 Megabits per second.

The move should ease bandwidth pressure that has seen a significant slowing of the Internet in the past six months.

The first 34 Mbps links will connect Ebone points of presence (PoPs) in Stockholm, Munich, London and Paris during the first quarter of this year.

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The upgrade will multiply many times the international line capacity supporting the Net in Europe.

As the new links will be integrated into Ebone's present structure, all Ebone members will profit from the upgrade.

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After successful Ebone negotiations with France Telecom Network Services, Telia and Tele2, competitive access fees will be offered to Ebone members with Megabit connections.

In addition, Ebone will develop the upgrade of the rest of its backbone as well as its connectivity to the United States and the rest of the world.