OHIO SCHOOLS BECOME FOUNDING MEMBERS OF STATE'S THIRD FRONTIER NETWORK

 

(Columbus, OH) - The Ohio SchoolNet Commission and the Ohio Department of

Education have joined the Third Frontier Network as founding members of the

nation's most advanced statewide fiber optic service for education and

research.

 

The Third Frontier Network will link the state's colleges and universities,

community colleges, branch campuses, K-12 Regional Service Agencies and

eventually district locations to each other and the Internet.

 

"We are pleased to represent Ohio's K-12 schools as equitable partners in

the Third Frontier Network," said Ohio SchoolNet Executive Director H.

Samuel Orth, III. "Ohio SchoolNet is committed to this project, which will

enable us to ensure that Ohio's K-12 school districts' current and future

connectivity needs are met."

 

"Too often, students don't connect with science because they are asked to

learn by rote," said Roderick G.W. Chu, chancellor of the Ohio Board of

Regents. "The TFN will connect classrooms to scientists in research labs

trying to solve real-world problems. Students will see the development of

samples, watch the experiment unfold, and share in the excitement of the

results."

 

This equitable partnership will ensure uniform, consistent and

cost-effective access to data, video and Internet applications by all

users, including teachers, students and administrators in the State of Ohio.

 

"Ohio's future economic success will be based on its ability to compete in

the technology economy," said Denis Walsh, Third Frontier Network Project

Manager. "To ensure the state's success, the Third Frontier Network will

build an education and research foundation that enables our students and

researchers to lead the future development of high tech industries and jobs

in Ohio."

 

The Third Frontier Network is a key infrastructure component of Ohio's

multi-billion dollar Third Frontier Project and is a major component of

Ohio Governor Bob Taft's Broadband Initiative.

 

Over the next five years, the Third Frontier Network backbone will be built

in four phases that include the following segments:

 

… Phase 1:  Establish a statewide core backbone to major cities … Phase 2:  Connect Ohio's research universities as well as the K-12 community … Phase 3:  Connect Ohio's medium and smaller universities and colleges … Phase 4:  Connect Ohio's corporate research centers with the academic

research community

 

The organizations currently involved with the Third Frontier Network

include Ohio SchoolNet, the Ohio Supercomputer Center, OARnet, the Ohio

Department of Education, the Ohio Board of Regents, American Electric

Power, WilTel Communications and American Fiber Systems.

 

About SchoolNet

Created in 1994, Ohio SchoolNet was charged with establishing access to

data, voice and video networks for every public school classroom in the

state. Ohio SchoolNet now administers more than 30 educational technology

programs for public schools across Ohio. For more information about the

Ohio SchoolNet Commission, visit http://www.osn.state.oh.us.

 

About Third Frontier Network

The Third Frontier Network (previously known as the Ohio Dark Fiber

Initiative) is being created to provide advanced networking services to

support higher education and research in the State of Ohio. This project's

goal is to create a premier network that will enhance research, education

and economic development and help expand Ohio's role and reputation in

networking technology. For additional information about the Third Frontier

Network, visit http://www.tfn.oar.net.

 

Contacts:

Carly Glick

The Ohio SchoolNet Commission

Tel: (614) 728-1886

Email: glick@osn.state.oh.us

 

Kathryn Kelley

Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC)

Tel: (614) 292-6067

Email: kkelley@osc.edu

 

Dan Downing

OARnet

Tel: (800) 627-8101 ext.228

Email: downing@oar.net

 

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