Statewide I-Net Washington & Colorado

["Ron Gdovic" <rgdovic@3rc.org>]

FYI, I-Net:
 
> Colorado to create statewide high-speed network 
>  
> BY Daniel Keegan
> 05/04/2000 
>  
> Colorado Gov. Bill Owens has awarded a $37 million contract that will
> create a high-speed, fiber-optic network connecting all state offices
> and schools. 
> 
> The contract requires that US West connect all county governments and
> other major government institutions, such as schools and prisons, with
> broadband services. There will also be more connection points in
> high-traffic areas, such as in Denver. 
> 
> "It's an initial step to make sure our most disadvantaged communities
> aren't cut off from the digital technologies," said Jerry Smith, deputy
> director of local affairs for the state. 
> 
> The Multi-Use Network, or MNT, does not connect individual communities
> or homes, although legislation passed last year attempts to address
> this. The "Beanpole Bill" provided $4.8 million to unite private
> telecommunications providers and have them extend their services to
> under-served areas. Although the state would not own or operate the
> individual systems, the companies would use the central network, Smith
> said. 
> 
> "The idea is that the MNT is the backbone and the beanpole grows off
> that backbone to the various jurisdictions in the county," Smith said.
> "It can grow in separate directions, all from a central stalk." 
> 
> The contract does not spell out how US West will implement the network,
> Smith said, but he said he expects the company to build out from
> existing fiber-optic cables. The company can also subcontract some of
> the work, he said. 
> 
> The contract runs for 10 years. After the network is installed, US West
> will manage the system for the remaining time. 
>                        
> Washington connects all public schools
>  
> BY Daniel Keegan
> 05/09/2000
>  
> Washington has completed a high-speed Internet network connecting all
> public schools - from kindergarten through graduate school.
> 
> The Department of Information Services (DIS) finished connecting the
> state's 296 public school districts earlier this year. The network was
> established by the legislature in 1996, and debuted a year later when
> the state's public colleges were connected.
> 
> The state spent $54.8 million to build the network using state and
> private-sector infrastructure. The project was $6.6 million under
> budget.
> 
> The network allows hearing-impaired children to read and write using
> videoconferencing, high school students to take classes online to
> prepare for college, and community college graduates to earn a business
> degree online.
> 
> DIS spokesperson Eric Campbell said the department plans to expand the
> network. However, the next phase established by the legislature,
> connecting all public libraries to the network, will not begin until
> next year because no money has been appropriated yet, he said. The
> department also intends to connect private colleges.
> 
> After the schools are connected to the network, they are responsible for
> providing hardware, software and any other equipment necessary to use
> the network.
> 
> The K-20 Network won a networking award last year from the National
> Association of State Information Resource Executives.
> 

Ronald Gdovic PhD · Executive Director · 3 Rivers Connect · www.3rc.org