AARNET
AARNet is Australia's National Research and Education Network (NREN), operating high-performance telecommunications, cybersecurity, and collaboration infrastructure for 38 member universities, CSIRO, and the broader Australian research and education community since 1989.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersChatswood, Australia
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AARNET does
AARNet Pty Ltd is Australia's National Research and Education Network (NREN), operating as a not-for-profit company owned by 38 Australian universities and CSIRO. Founded in 1989 when it pioneered internet connectivity in Australia, AARNet provides high-performance telecommunications infrastructure, cybersecurity services, and collaboration tools purpose-built for the research and education sector. Its service portfolio spans three layers: (1) network and connectivity products including AARNet Internet, Private Connections, Cloud Connect, eduroam global Wi-Fi roaming (585+ Australian locations, 100+ countries), and Network Monitoring across GigaPOPs in all Australian capital cities; (2) data and collaboration services including FileSender for large file transfer, Globus research-grade data movement, and Zoom Video Communications and Zoom Phone/Contact Center; and (3) cybersecurity offerings including DDoS Protection, Early Warning System, and 24/7 Managed Detection and Response powered by CrowdStrike Falcon. Recent technical initiatives include a quantum key distribution (QKD) link with QuintessenceLabs and CSIRO over standard optical fibre, the Network Timing Core research project with UTS, the ARDC Nectar Research Cloud national node hosted at AARNet's Sydney data centre, and support for Australia's TeraNet optical laser satellite communications network.
AARNet serves universities, research institutes, CSIRO, TAFEs, K-12 schools, health and medical research institutions, and Galleries/Libraries/Archives/Museums (GLAMs). Named customers and use cases span life sciences (Galaxy Australia/Australian BioCommons), marine science (Australian Institute of Marine Science), genomics (Australian Centre for Ancient DNA), radio astronomy (Australian SKA Regional Centre), transport research (NTRO), cultural institutions (Sydney Opera House, Museums Victoria), and higher education telephony migrations (University of Southern Queensland). The business model is member-subscription-based with annual billing cycles for network and managed security services; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Revenue streams are diversified across network connectivity, collaboration/data services, cybersecurity, eduroam federation, and cloud/infrastructure services.
The organization operates internationally through GÉANT (global eduroam federation), TEIN (Asia-Pacific expansion), and direct peering relationships, with end-markets spanning Australia and broader international research collaboration. As a member-owned cooperative-style entity with no external shareholders, AARNet reinvests in infrastructure for the Australian R&E community rather than pursuing external capital or liquidity events.
AARNET firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AARNET
- Legal name
- AARNet Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://aarnet.edu.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- AARNet is Australia's National Research and Education Network (NREN), operating high-performance telecommunications, cybersecurity, and collaboration infrastructure for 38 member universities, CSIRO, and the broader Australian research and education community since 1989.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AARNET industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Research and Education Network Services
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Other Computer Related Services (541519), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Service Provider OSS/NMS (Carrier Network Management) (HDAFAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Network Architecture & Design Services (BPAEAEAA), Network Performance, Visibility & SLA Monitoring (Managed NPM/Observability) (HDAIAFAI), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ), NTN-Enabled Emergency, Government & Defense Communications (Public Safety, Tactical, Resilience) (HDAIAJAJ)
Keywords
Where AARNET is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chatswood
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices4 records
Markets served
AARNET business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Network Connectivity Services: AARNet provides high-performance internet, private connections, and network infrastructure services to universities, research institutions, schools, and cultural organisations across Australia. Revenue is generated through subscription-based contracts for network access and connectivity.
- Collaboration and Data Services: Services including FileSender for large file transfer, Globus for research data movement, Zoom video conferencing and phone services. These are offered as managed services to the research and education community.
- Cybersecurity Services: DDoS protection, managed detection and response (MDR), and CrowdStrike Falcon Complete offerings to protect campus networks and assets from cyber threats.
- eduroam Services: Global roaming Wi-Fi access service for research and education. AARNet operates as Australia's National Roaming Operator (NRO), providing secure federated Wi-Fi access across campuses, schools, airports, and cultural institutions.
- Cloud and Infrastructure Services: Cloud Connect, ARDC Nectar Research Cloud node hosting, and network monitoring services for research and education institutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Network and connectivity services for research and education institutions |
| Subscription | Annual | Managed Detection and Response (MDR) powered by CrowdStrike |
| Subscription | Monthly | Zoom Phone and Contact Center for research and education |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
AARNET product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AARNet operates Australia's National Research and Education Network (NREN), delivering high-performance internet, private connections, cloud connectivity, and the global eduroam Wi-Fi roaming service. It complements the network with research data movement tools (FileSender, Globus), Zoom-based unified communications, and managed cybersecurity services (DDoS protection, MDR powered by CrowdStrike). Services are sold on a subscription/managed-service basis to universities, research institutes, TAFEs, schools, and cultural organisations.
Product overview
AARNet is Australia's national research and education network (NREN), offering a comprehensive platform of network, data, and security services. The portfolio includes core connectivity products (AARNet Internet, Private Connections, Cloud Connect, eduroam, Network Monitoring, AARNet Connect) that form the foundational network infrastructure. Data and collaboration services include FileSender for large file transfer, Globus for research-grade data movement, Zoom Video Communications and Zoom Phone for collaboration and voice, and Research Data Movement solutions. Cybersecurity offerings encompass DDoS Protection, Early Warning System, and CrowdStrike Falcon Complete MDR service. Supporting tools include AARNet Mirror for open-source content mirroring, Looking Glass for network diagnostics, Customer Portal, Status Page, and Train-The-Trainer Workshops for capacity building. The platform operates as an integrated ecosystem where network infrastructure enables all data and collaboration services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AARNet Internet High-performance internet connectivity purpose-built for research and education institutions, providing fast, reliable and secure network access across Australia and globally.
- Private Connections Dedicated private network connections enabling secure direct links between institutional campuses, facilities, and cloud services.
- Cloud Connect Services enabling secure high-speed connectivity between institutional networks and cloud service providers.
- eduroam Secure global roaming Wi-Fi access service for the research and education community, allowing users to access internet at participating institutions worldwide using their home institution credentials.
- AARNet Connect Network connectivity solutions providing institutions with access to AARNet's national research and education network.
- Network Monitoring Tools and services for monitoring network performance, availability, and traffic across AARNet's infrastructure.
- FileSender Browser-based service for securely transferring very large files, designed for research and education workflows requiring reliable large file exchange (e.g., genomic datasets, media files, scientific data).
- Globus Service Research-grade managed data transfer service for high-performance and large-scale scientific data movements across institutions and international networks, with fault-tolerant transfers and automated retries.
- Zoom Video Communications High-definition video conferencing and collaboration platform providing easy-to-use virtual meetings from desktop, mobile, or conference room, delivered via AARNet's network.
- Zoom Phone Cloud-based voice communication system for research and education institutions providing PBX features, HD audio, intelligent call routing, call recording, and seamless switching between desktop and mobile devices.
- DDoS Protection Cybersecurity solutions protecting campus networks and assets from distributed denial-of-service attacks.
- Early Warning System Cybersecurity monitoring and threat detection service providing alerts about potential security risks to institutional networks.
- CrowdStrike Falcon Complete (Managed Detection and Response) 24/7 Managed Detection and Response service powered by CrowdStrike Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR platform, providing unified real-time protection against advanced cyber threats for research and education institutions.
- Quantum-Secure Link (QKD) Live quantum-secure link using QuintessenceLabs' qOptica continuous variable Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system deployed over AARNet's standard optical fibre, generating unbreakable encryption keys rooted in the laws of physics.
- ARDC Nectar Research Cloud National Node National node of the ARDC Nectar Research Cloud hosted at AARNet's Sydney data centre, providing capacity for Virtual Desktop Service, JupyterHub Service, and BinderHub Service for research data workflows.
Quantifiable outcome
- Data transfer times reduced from days to hours or minutes depending on volume
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AARNET
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AARNET technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature10 records
AARNET partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS)coreResearch collaboration with UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT to develop the Network Timing Core (NTC), a resilient approach to distributing and verifying precise time across the internet using AARNet's infrastructure as a live testbed. The project addresses vulnerabilities in GPS-based timing through architectural changes at national scale.
- QuintessenceLabscoreCollaboration to establish a live quantum-secure link using QuintessenceLabs' qOptica continuous variable QKD system over AARNet's standard optical fibre. The first publicly documented deployment of quantum key distribution over telecom-grade dark fibre in Sydney, demonstrating practical quantum-secure communications.
- CSIRO (Data61)corePartner in the quantum-secure link project providing research expertise and hosting AARNet fibre loop at CSIRO's Marsfield site in Sydney for QKD testing. CSIRO expands work in quantum-secure cryptography and quantum key distribution to translate research into real-world deployments.
- University of Western Australia (UWA) / ICRARstrategicAARNet provides networking services expertise and research data movement support for TeraNet, Australia's first optical laser communications network using high-speed lasers to transfer data to and from satellites. The $6.5 million project is backed by $4.4 million from Australian Space Agency.
- CrowdStrikecoreDelivery partnership for 24/7 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service using CrowdStrike Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR platform. AARNet provides sector-specific expertise, customer onboarding, and ongoing support while CrowdStrike provides AI-native security platform and elite analyst team.
- ARDC (Australian Research Data Commons)corePartnership to host the national node of ARDC Nectar Research Cloud at AARNet's Sydney data centre, providing additional capacity and resilience for services including Virtual Desktop Service, JupyterHub Service, and BinderHub Service. Working towards ISO27001 certification for sensitive data research.
- Zoom Video CommunicationscoreAARNet offers Zoom Phone, Zoom Contact Center, and Zoom Video Conferencing as part of its data and collaboration services for the Australian research and education sector. Provides unified communications leveraging AARNet's network infrastructure.
- GlobuscoreAARNet offers Globus research-grade data transfer service to the Australian research community. Provides setup guides, workshops, and technical support. Enables large-scale scientific workflows with fault-tolerant transfers.
- Australian BioCommonsstrategicPartnership supporting Australian BioCommons' Apollo Service migration to AARNet-hosted Nectar Research Cloud node. AARNet provided Globus expertise and infrastructure for 15 TB data migration, enabling uninterrupted bioinformatics workflows for life science researchers.
- Pawsey Supercomputing Research CentrestrategicTier 1 government-funded national facility that previously hosted Apollo service. Infrastructure transition involved data migration to AARNet-hosted ARDC Nectar Research Cloud using Globus over AARNet network.
- Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC) / IDIAstrategicCollaboration enabling high-volume data transfer from South African MeerKAT telescope to Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. Powered by AARNet's research network and Globus, the partnership enables astronomers to transfer multi-terabyte datasets across international networks reliably.
- GÉANTcoreEuropean NREN that coordinates the global eduroam federation. AARNet serves as Australia's National Roaming Operator (NRO), ensuring integration with global eduroam fabric across 100+ territories.
- National Measurement Institute (NMI)strategicNMI provides national reference time sources based on atomic clocks for the Network Timing Core project. AARNet embeds timing nodes within its network infrastructure connected to NMI's precise time sources.
- TEIN / Asia-Pacific NREN PartnersstrategicAARNet leads projects funded by TEIN to extend eduroam to additional Asia-Pacific countries including Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AARNET competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GÉANT: Europe's leading NREN, operating the pan-European research and education network. GÉANT is AARNet's most direct peer: both are mission-aligned, member-owned NRENs coordinating eduroam globally, providing high-capacity connectivity, data services, and cybersecurity to universities and research institutes.
- Internet2: US not-for-profit computer networking consortium serving the US research and education community. Operates a national high-performance backbone analogous to AARNet, with comparable service portfolio including cloud connectivity, identity federation, and trust services.
- JISC: UK's digital, data, and technology agency for higher education and research. JISC provides Janet network connectivity, shared services, and digital resources across UK universities — the closest functional analogue to AARNet's role in Australia.
- CANARIE: Canada's NREN operator, providing high-speed network infrastructure and research data management tools to Canadian universities, colleges, and research institutions. Directly comparable mandate, ownership structure, and service portfolio.
Regional players
- RENATER: France's NREN serving French universities and research institutions. Operates an analogous high-capacity backbone and eduroam coordination in France; comparable role and ownership structure but serving a different national footprint.
- NORDUNet: Joint Nordic NREN collaboration linking Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Directly comparable as a multi-country research and education network operator with similar service offerings and governance model.
- SINET (NII): Japan's Science Information Network operated by the National Institute of Informatics. Comparable as a national-scale academic backbone serving Japanese universities and research institutes, though serving a very different regulatory and operational environment.
- KREONET (KISTI): Korea's research network operated by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information. Comparable as a national NREN serving Korean research and education institutions with high-performance network and data services.
- RedCLARA: Latin American research and education network federation. Comparable as a regional NREN consortium with similar cross-border connectivity and eduroam coordination role, but operating across multiple Latin American countries rather than a single national market.
- REANNZ: New Zealand's NREN, providing research and education network services across New Zealand universities and institutes. Closest geographically to AARNet, with near-identical mandate, ownership structure, and service portfolio at smaller scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AARNET social profiles
Digital presenceAARNET compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
AARNET financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AARNET leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
AARNET subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
AARNET funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AARNET M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AARNET
What does AARNET do?
AARNet operates Australia's National Research and Education Network (NREN), delivering high-performance internet, private connections, cloud connectivity, and the global eduroam Wi-Fi roaming service. It complements the network with research data movement tools (FileSender, Globus), Zoom-based unified communications, and managed cybersecurity services (DDoS protection, MDR powered by CrowdStrike). Services are sold on a subscription/managed-service basis to universities, research institutes, TAFEs, schools, and cultural organisations.
Is AARNET a public or private company?
AARNET is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AARNET founded?
AARNET was founded in 1989. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is AARNET based?
AARNET is headquartered in Chatswood, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does AARNET make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Network Connectivity Services are the primary driver. The others are collaboration and Data Services, cybersecurity Services, eduroam Services and cloud and Infrastructure Services.
Who are AARNET's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GÉANT, Internet2, JISC and CANARIE. Regional players are RENATER, NORDUNet, SINET (NII), KREONET (KISTI), RedCLARA and REANNZ.
Does AARNET have an API?
No public API is recorded for AARNET.
What industry is AARNET in?
AARNET's product category is Research and Education Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFAGAL, Service Provider OSS/NMS (Carrier Network Management), with a secondary code of BPAEAEAA, Network Architecture & Design Services. Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7370.