City Of Prince George, UNBC And Bcnet Expand High-speed And High-capacity Network To The North
November 15, 2002 For Immediate
Release
BCNET (www.bc.net) is a non-profit society supporting and promoting advanced networks for the province's research and education communities. The organization serves BC's universities, research and development institutions, government bodies, community organizations and industry groups. BCNET is the province's foremost leader in advanced network technology and is leading the way for enhancing education and research capabilities over the Internet. BCNET is supported by the provincial and federal governments as well as by its regional university members.
BCNET , a non-profit
society for the development of advanced networks within the province,
announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
the City of Prince George and the University of Northern British Columbia.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Colin Kinsley, City of Prince George;
Dr. Charles Jago, President of UNBC; and Michael Hrybyk, President &
CEO of BCNET.
"This Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates the importance of
collaborating with various public, private and community groups to put
in place a system that can bring the world to all parts of Northern British
Columbia", said Colin Kinsley, Mayor of the City of Prince George.
"The MoU demonstrates a firm commitment by all Parties to the advancement
of information and communications technologies in the Prince George region.
We believe advanced networks like the Prince George Transit Exchange,
will play an instrumental role in advancing this region's long-term economic
and social viability."
The MOU outlines the partnership agreement between the three parties
as they move forward to bring advanced networks to the North. All three
parties will be working together to manage and oversee the Prince George
Transit Exchange (PGTX): the northern hub of the provincial research and
education network called the ORAN (Optical Regional Advanced Network).
UNBC, City Hall, Prince George Library and Prince George Regional Hospital
will all be connected to each other, and to other ORAN participants in
Vancouver and Victoria over the provincial high-speed network. ORAN participants
in Prince George will also have access to their colleagues across Canada
over CANARIE's CA*net4 and to valuable online research and education resources
worldwide.
"The Optical Research Advanced Network links UNBC to universities
across Canada and throughout the world by means of a high speed, broad
band fibre optic network," said UNBC President Dr. Charles Jago.
"This new capacity will foster greater collaboration between researchers
and enable us to develop innovative course delivery options for programs
such as the Northern Medical Program. It will also enable us to better
serve our region by creating enhanced networking capacity in Prince George."
By connecting to BCNET's ORAN, PGTX participants will have increased
research and education capabilities over the Internet, of up to 2 Gigabits
per second compared to the pre-existing 10 Megabits per second link. The
upgraded provincial network provides a Prince George link that is 200
times faster.
"Speed and bandwidth are important elements when we're talking about
high technology innovation and development," said Hrybyk. "The
ORAN will provide researchers and educators in the North with the ability
to collaborate, work efficiently, and compete effectively in the evolving
technology marketplace."
BCNET (www.bc.net) is a non-profit society supporting and promoting advanced networks for the province's research and education communities. The organization serves BC's universities, research and development institutions, government bodies, community organizations and industry groups. BCNET is the province's foremost leader in advanced network technology and is leading the way for enhancing education and research capabilities over the Internet. BCNET is supported by the provincial and federal governments as well as by its regional university members.