Hungarian Future Internet National Technology Platform
The Future Internet National Technology Platform has been established at the request of the Hungarian Government’s National Innovation Office. The Hungarian Academic & Research Network Association (HUNGARNET) coordinates the Platform’s activities.
More than fifty organisations are part of the initiative, including: multinational ICT companies such as Hungary Telekom, Vodafone, HP, CISCO, SAP etc; major Hungarian universities; research institutions; SMEs, represented by IVSZ (Association of ICT Companies); and Scientific and Technical Associations. The first meeting of the Platform took place on 3rd May at the premises of the HUNGARNET Association.
The Hungarian research network has always held pace with European standards, but a recent upgrade made this network one of the top performers in the EU, having an average capacity of 40 Gbit/sec between nodes.
In the Future Internet arena the National Technology Platform has the same objective: to reach European levels. A program started in 2008 within the framework of a Hungarian research network program with three universities, two research institutions, and a research network organisation involved.
Increased Participation
This program comprised basic and applied research, and ended last year with significant results. Hungarian participation in the Future Internet 7th Framework program has increased significantly and the program received funds from the National Science Foundation to carry out basic research.
This new initiative is a follow-up to the above program and has a much broader scope. Its aim is to elaborate a strategy and a development program for the whole community. In particular, the program covers R&D, innovation and application development activities. Three important activities have been decided:
- Strategy and Program elaboration;
- Promoting the Hungarian participation in the Framework programs; and,
- Organising workshops and conferences to enhance co-operation among Platform members and distribute information that facilitates EU program participation.
A Steering Committee will direct the strategy and program formation and all other activities. Finally, public relations is an important priority of the Platform, which will be given special emphasis during the whole program.
Note that three ministries participate in the Platform activity. The ultimate aim is to submit a proposal to the National Innovation Office, with the expectation of it becoming a National Future Internet Program, with adequate financing.
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