Launch of government initiative to improve accuracy and stability of timekeeping on the Internet

Citation

Pickles, J. (2000), "Launch of government initiative to improve accuracy and stability of timekeeping on the Internet", Facilities, Vol. 18 No. 5/6. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2000.06918eab.007

Launch of government initiative to improve accuracy and stability of timekeeping on the Internet

Edited by Jenny Pickles,New Developments Section Editor

Launch of government initiative to improve accuracy and stability of timekeeping on the Internet

Keywords Internet, Time recording, Standards

London Internet Exchange (LINX), Europe's largest Internet exchange point, announces that it is combining forces with Greenwich Electronic Time (GET), an industry and government initiative launched by Tony Blair on 1 January 2000. The aim of GeT is to improve the accuracy and stability of timekeeping on the Internet to support E-business in the UK and worldwide. LINX has three cesium atomic clocks located on the Greenwich Meridian which enables GeT to be accessed by Internet users via their ISP's servers and a downloadable application. The initiative was launched on 26 January at a press conference held at the Royal Opera House, London.

Keith Mitchell, executive chairman of LINX, commented: "Through our member ISPs we already have the infrastructure in place to provide GeT to many Internet users. To validate digital transactions it is imperative to have a reliable, accurate to the second, time source and GeT will provide this to the business and Internet communities. As part of GeT we are also working towards achieving a method of authenticating time stamps, which will be a major step forward for e-Business the world over."

Alex Allan, the Government's E-Envoy is leading the venture on behalf of the UK Government: "An accurate, easily available time standard on the Internet is a valuable tool for all involved in electronic commerce. Trusted time stamps will be the way forward for e-business all over the world and this venture and supporting infrastructure put the UK at the forefront of Internet development".

"LINX working with GeT enables the process of providing trusted time sources for business and consumers to be accelerated", said James Roper, Chief Executive of the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), also involved with GeT. "Member ISPs will be able to ensure their servers are synchronised and provide local trusted time sources for their customers. This will allow the standards and codes of practice being developed by GeT to be adopted quickly, benefiting both business and the consumer."

For futher information please contact: Keith Mitchell/Vanessa Evans, LINX. Tel: +44 (0) 1733 705000; E-mail: keith@linx.org; URL: http://www.linx.net Or Eileen Gallagher/Madeleine Meech, Harvard PR. Tel: +44 (0) 181 759 0005; E-mail: eileeng@harvard.co.uk; madeleine@harvard.co.uk; URL: http://www.harvard.co.uk