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Fujitsu Strengthens Largest State-Run Education Network for Illinois Century Network with SD-WAN
April 13, 2021 GMT
RICHARDSON, Texas (BUSINESS WIRE) Apr 13, 2021
Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) to strengthen their Illinois Century Network (ICN), the largest state-run education network in the U.S. With an upgrade to software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology, legacy fiber transport infrastructure is being leveraged to interconnect more K-12 schools, libraries, students, government offices and other users with applications and educational resources quickly, securely and efficiently.
Report: America Needs More Open-Access, Middle-Mile Networks
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society has released a policy report that breaks down why open-access, middle-mile networks can help close the digital divide in multiple geographic contexts. Shutterstock/AleksandrMorrisovich
A new report from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society argues for more federal support of open-access, middle-mile (OAMM) networks, which “can help the nation meet its deployment and competition challenges.”
By definition, an OAMM network will allow any Internet service provider (ISP) to connect to it, “on nondiscriminatory terms and conditions,” in order to provide last-mile solutions to homes and businesses. Economically, the idea is to encourage fair competition and reduce costs for companies so that credible business plans can be made for connecting unserved areas.