KBOR > News > 2004 > Release

February 3, 2004

KANSAS BACKBONE NETWORK KAN-ED AWARDS STATE CONTRACTS FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY

TOPEKA, KS. - The dream of bringing broadband Internet access to all Kansans by connecting every Kansas hospital, library, K-12 school and higher education institution moved closer to reality with the awarding of contracts for services to SBC Communications, Inc. and Cox Communications for the implementation of network infrastructure applications for Kan-ed (www.kan-ed.org). The terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

SBC Communications, Inc. and Cox Communications will lease network transmission lines and network equipment to Kan-ed for this massive undertaking. Sprint is also slated to provide services at a later date.
Since Kan-ed will deploy its leased standalone backbone network and services from SBC Communications, Inc. and Cox Communications, it will enable the network to qualify for the federally-funded ERATE program and e-rate discount of 65%. This is expected to save nearly $5 million over attempting to use existing state network options.

The new Kan-ed backbone network will provide 18-20 Network Access Points (NAPS) for backbone connectivity when fully deployed. The initial part of the network is expected to be operational in March with the remaining NAPs on line by July. They will help reduce network access costs for Kan-ed members by reducing tariff costs and access fees.

"In 2004 our state-of-the-art network design will be fully deployed, turning an intensive planning process into a reality," says Hal Gardner, executive director of Kan-ed. "We are confident that the network design will satisfy our requirements for security, quality of service and reliability now and well into the future."

Kan-ed will connect the state’s hospitals, libraries, universities and K-12 institutions with high-speed bandwidth to connect members and provide for content and services such as databases, videoconferencing, telemedicine and interactive distance learning.

New NAPS are slated for Dodge City, Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, Salina, Junction City, Parsons, Lawrence, Girard, Burlington, Holton, McPherson, and six to eight other locations.

"We are extremely pleased that Kan-ed has called on us to contribute to this unique networking solution that will benefit the residents of our state," says David Kerr, president of SBC-Kansas.

"We are thrilled to be able to work with Kan-ed to bring state-of-the-art technology to classrooms in Kansas," says Kimberly Edmunds, VP and regional manager for Cox Communications Kansas.

Kan-ed was created by an act of the Kansas Legislature on April 20, 2001 and funded in January 2003. It is designed to give Kansans a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Funded by the Kansas Universal Service Fund and under the auspices of the Kansas Board of Regents, Kan-ed is responsible for the creation, operation and maintenance of the network.

"This is an exciting time in the implementation of the Kan-ed network," says Reginald Robinson, President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. "I would like to thank our Board of Regents, Governor Sebelius, and members of the Kansas Legislature who have been so instrumental in Kan-ed’s success."

February 16, 2004 1:25 PM