BCNETwork News
 
September 2005

Building the Infrastructure for Project 2010: BC’s
Next-Generation Networks

Phase I of the 2010 project is well on its way to delivering advanced research networks infrastructure to the Okanagan and Surrey. BCNET’s engineers, guided by a 2010 project manager, have been meeting with key stakeholders in the regions to negotiate, plan and build the fibre and “Transit Exchange” hubs for Kamloops, Kelowna and Surrey and develop intercity 10-gigabit links.

Fostering Economic Development in Kelowna

Fostering community and economic development was a primary reason for choosing a viable and centrally located site for the Kelowna Transit Exchange. Housed in the Landmark Technology Centre, BCNET has been working with Rackforce Hosting Inc and Al Stober Construction to build the new Transit Exchange facility. "One of the goals of UBCO is to build stronger partnerships with the community. Connecting at the exchange will help to build these partnerships", says Gwen Zilm, Associate Vice President, Learning Services, UBC Okanagan. Once built, business members in the Kelowna community will be able to connect and share data with other members of the Exchange as well as connect with a commercial Internet Service Provider of choice. All the data sharing between members at the Exchange is free.

Building the Kamloops Exchange

Partnering with the City of Kamloops, BCNET has been working closely with the city to build metro fibre, the communication link for BCNET’s ORAN, and identify a location to house the Transit Exchange facility. The metro fibre build is currently in progress and the location for the home of the Transit Exchange has been chosen. Plans are still in progress to finalize the design of the facility for the Kamloops Transit Exchange. Thompson Rivers University will be connected to the new Transit Exchange in early 2006.

Surrey Progress

Surrey is well on its way to receiving high-bandwidth networks, with network fibre currently being built. The fibre will drop off at SFU Surrey campus.

Developing 10-gigabit Intercity Connections to the ORAN

CANARIE is providing the funding for the 10-gigabit intercity lightpaths that will interconnect Vancouver, Victoria, Kamloops and Kelowna.

Bringing Together Public and Private Sector Leaders

BCNET has completed a second round of Executive Focus Group Meetings-- a forum for exchanging information and ideas in Kelowna and Kamloops. The focus group has brought together public and private sector community leaders to discuss the BCNET 2010 Project plans, what it means for the community and how they can peer with community members at the BCNET Transit Exchange centres in their regions.

Technical Communities of Interest

With plans to connect the universities by late 2005, BCNET’s engineering team has involved the IT departments and technical people at each of the campuses to keep them involved and abreast of project plans and progress.