Pembina Trails, a major school division in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), announced the launch of the fastest, most powerful fiber optic educational network in Canada.

The new 'dark fiber' network consists of 44 kms (27.3 miles) of fiber optic cable, providing virtually unlimited bandwidth, and the introduction of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, over this network has the potential to provide savings of some $200,000 per year.

Students now have access to information at a speed 850 times faster than at home with DSL or cable Internet service, and the potential to link with other fiber optic networks at libraries and universities around the world. Robust security features are integrated, and the entire network is maintained in-house.

"There is no limit to what this system can provide," says Don Reece, director of information technology for Pembina Trails. "With fiber linking us to global information portals, like the Manitoba Research Network and CANet3, we will be truly virtual, providing our students and staff with ultra fast pathways to educational resources, second-to-none in the world."

A number of vendors and manufacturers have joined forces with Pembina Trails to create a model for change that makes good business sense.

"We have partnerships with Microsoft, Dell, Sun Microsystems, Objectworld, MERLIN, Xerox and Acer," says Reece. "They want to push the boundaries and showcase what the technology can do.

Objectworld, for example, has provided their Unified Communications Server, which enables VoIP and several additional features. "We are excited to be part of this installation," said David Levy, chief executive officer of Objectworld. "This is a wonderful showcase for our UC Server and it's rewarding for us to see the deployment on a scale like this in an educational setting."

In the classroom, the virtually unlimited Internet bandwidth that Pembina Trails receives through its 1 gigabit connection to M.E.R.L.I.N. (Manitoba Education Research & Learning Information Network), allows students to browse through one of the fastest networks in Canada; waiting for data is now a thing of the past.

When schools in Pembina Trails need software updated or added to computers, they simply contact their IT Department and network technicians "push" the programs onto the computers in seconds, through the fast, reliable fiber optic network. Pembina Trails Students are not disturbed by intrusive visits to labs for maintenance or updates, and repairs are accomplished remotely, using the network. IT staff support and maintain the network themselves. remotely repairing -solving problems and address issues from their desks at the Pembina Trails administrative offices.

"Dark fiber is an investment in the future that delivers in the present," says Pembina Trails Superintendent Paul Moreau. "The business case for this advancement is solid. We've spent considerable time evaluating our options and believe our system delivers significant value to our staff and students while ensuring a significant return on investment."

Feature-rich distance education tools, like video, audio and real-time collaboration, are all possible when bandwidth is limitless and technology is seamlessly integrated into classrooms and programs. Pembina Trails is an award-winning leader in using technology to support innovative teachers and students.

The official launch takes place at the Pembina Trails Division office, 181 Henlow Bay, on Wednesday, October 18th, at 1:00 p.m. Division staff and students will be on hand to demonstrate the dark fiber system's capability and to answer questions