- GÉANT prioritises long-term global R&E network development, including activities via EU-funded projects to help develop peer networks in other world regions.
- Forecasting traffic is increasingly complex as massive scientific projects drive unprecedented growth in data demands.
- Through spectrum-based connectivity and innovative smart cables, GÉANT is shaping the future of intercontinental research infrastructure.
BTW Media sat down with Thomas Fryer, Head of International Relations at GÉANT, to explore the organisation’s evolving role in developing sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking research and education (R&E) networks worldwide. In this wide-ranging conversation, Fryer delved into the challenges of international collaboration, the future of intercontinental connectivity, and why smart cables could be key to environmental insight.
About the interviewee
Thomas Fryer currently serves as Head of International Relations at GÉANT, where he has supported global collaboration efforts with research and education networks outside Europe since 2019. Based in Spain, he has nearly two decades of professional experience in research and education networking international project and relationship management. A fluent speaker of Spanish, French and German,Thomas brings a deep understanding of cross-cultural engagement and strategic cooperation.
Prior to this role, he was the Senior International Relations Officer at GÉANT and was Project Manager of the EU-funded BELLA-S1 initiative between 2016 and 2021. His areas of expertise include global network partnerships, international policy development, and managing large-scale connectivity infrastructure projects that support scientific collaboration.
Q1: How is GÉANT fostering international collaboration, particularly with R&E networks in emerging regions?
To open the conversation, podcast host Fei asked Fryer to reflect on how GÉANT’s mission to support global research and education has evolved, especially in underrepresented or developing parts of the world.
Fryer explained that since the early 2000s, GÉANT—bolstered by consistent EU funding—has helped develop R&E networks across Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia Pacific, and Central Asia. These efforts have long moved beyond connectivity to encompass layered services that empower academic and scientific cooperation, as well as community building.
“Today, connectivity alone is not enough,” Fryer emphasised. He cited projects such as AfricaConnect and EUMEDCONNECT, which are designed to provide full-service platforms that support sustainable collaboration across continents.
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Q2: What forecasting challenges does GÉANT face, and how are they addressed with partners?
The second part of the interview focused on the technical challenge of anticipating where and how future network demand will materialise.
Fryer pointed to historical data showing a consistent 30–35% annual increase in traffic but warned of impending “step changes” due to massive scientific undertakings such as the High Luminosity LHC, the Square Kilometre Array, and major nuclear fusion experiments.
“These will create step changes in traffic.” Because many of these projects are still developing their data models, exact forecasting remains elusive. GÉANT’s solution is to refine models in close cooperation with its global partners and update them annually to stay well ahead of requirements, building in resilience and redundancy.
Q3: What delivery models are becoming more sustainable or strategic for intercontinental connectivity?
Turning to the future of infrastructure procurement, Fei asked Fryer about viable connectivity delivery options amid evolving market dynamics. Fryer discussed GÉANT’s transition from short-term leased connections to long-term Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRUs), enabling access to submarine cables for up to 25 years. More importantly, the shift from capacity purchasing to spectrum acquisition allows GÉANT to dynamically scale capacity based on demand and technological evolution.
“We can change the capacity we get in accordance to demands and the technologies available.” This model provides resilience, adaptability, and future-proofing for a rapidly growing research ecosystem.
Q4: How do regional differences affect GÉANT’s global partnerships?
Fei then steered the discussion to the softer yet equally critical dimension of global cooperation—cultural and organisational diversity. Fryer responded that GÉANT’s internal diversity—over 40 languages spoken among staff—creates a strong foundation for cultural understanding. He stressed the importance of listening, flexibility, and interpersonal trust in building sustainable global relationships.
“There’s not one way of doing things… everybody brings something to the table.”
Thomas Fryer, Head of International Relations at GÉANT
“If you don’t know the people, you won’t be able to work well,” Fryer concluded—a fitting reminder that in a digital world, relationships still matter most. Events such as TNC (GÉANT’s annual networking conference) offer vital in-person opportunities to strengthen those relationships, helping partners resolve inevitable challenges through mutual trust.
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Q5: What future role will GÉANT play in shaping global R&E connectivity, especially with new technologies?
To conclude the interview, Fei asked Fryer to share GÉANT’s vision for its role in the years ahead, as technology and cross-sector needs evolve.
Fryer described two central focus areas. First is the strategic use of the Global Gateway initiative by the European Union, which supports long-term cable access and regional partnerships. Second is GÉANT’s involvement in smart technology—specifically submarine cables that can double as environmental sensors.
“Smart cables… can help us interpret what’s going on under the sea.” Through the SUBMERSE project, GÉANT and the project partners are exploring how these cables can gather Earth Observation data to support disaster response, seismic monitoring, and climate change research by detecting shifts in signal patterns beneath the ocean floor.
Conclusion: Bridging Continents, Cultures, and Challenges
As Fryer articulated throughout the conversation, GÉANT is far more than a connectivity provider. It is a collaborative platform, a policy innovator, and now, a potential contributor to environmental monitoring. Its unique blend of technical expertise, cultural awareness, and strategic foresight ensures that it will remain a pivotal player in the global R&E network landscape.
