IP Communications

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) has announced an $8 million master service agreement with two telecommunications companies for construction and Internet services, according to a press release. The move is part of the company’s development of an ultra high-speed Regional Wide Area Network (RWAN) for school districts.

 

Under the agreement, Expedient Communications, a leading provider of data center and managed data network services for local business customers in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Boston, will deliver Internet and hosting services from its Green Tree facility. On the other hand, Sunesys, a Warrington, Pa.-based telecommunications company, will be responsible for setting-up the network’s physical structure across 130 miles.

 

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), a branch of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, employs 2,200 educators at 721 sites across Allegheny County. The agency operates 11 family centers, three schools for exceptional children, and offers specialized education services to 42 suburban school districts. In addition to this, the AIU coordinates 130 programs for infants, students, and adults. It is funded by federal, state, county, and private grants.

 

Expedient provides one of America's largest all-Ethernet networks. The company delivers advanced internet, voice and managed services to commercial and government entities throughout the United States. With the power of its carrier-class Ethernet IP network and class one data centers, Expedient offers innovative and cost-effective networking solutions designed to meet even the most demanding business needs. Expedient is a proud member of the Continental Broadband family of commercial internet data providers wholly owned by Landmark Communications.

 

The RWAN will connect 41 school districts, four vo-tech schools and the AIU. The network will offer around 100 times more broadband capacity. At the same time, it will reduce Internet service fees. Construction of the network will start during spring.

 

About 18 districts will be connected by September 2008. Since January 2008, several school boards in Allegheny County have authorized the AIU to sign the master service agreement on their behalf.

 

With the new RWAN, school network communication speeds will increase from 10 to 1,000 megabits per second. It will allow districts to connect to each other, to schools across the state as well as to Internet2. In December, the AIU had received a three-year, $2.35 million state E-Fund grant for RWAN development. The agency is expecting Federal E-Rate funding soon.