New computer network linking Indiana campuses

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By The Associated Press , June 24, 2008

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A new ultra high-speed Internet connection that already links many Indiana colleges and universities could be available at nearly 40 public and private campuses across the state by the end of the year.

Indiana University officials say the "I-Light" network gives campus users Internet speeds more than 20 times faster than what they would have at home.

IU and Ivy Tech Community College officials joined Indiana House Speaker Pat Bauer on Friday in announcing the completion of 1,178 miles of fiber-optic cable that forms the backbone of the network.

Pat Ames, vice chancellor for information technologies at IU's South Bend campus, said the speed is important for researchers because it provides access to massive data networks and makes it possible to work with other institutions on projects.

The network also will vastly improve distance learning programs by enabling high-quality video streaming and high-definition learning tools like telepresence, a videoconferencing technology that gives users the impression of being in the classroom.

About 20 percent of Ivy Tech's students currently enroll in distance education courses and that number could grow with the new network, said Jeff Pittman, the school's vice provost for distance education

"It will allow us to improve the quality of what we offer," he said. "It will allow more students access to Ivy Tech programs."

There are 26 campuses across the state are already online with the network, with 13 more expected to join by December, IU officials said.

I-Light is jointly managed by IU and Purdue University personnel, who provide the network engineering support for the project. The initial project, a $5.3 million effort which linked IU-Bloomington, IUPUI and Purdue, was expanded in 2005 with $7 million in state money to link up other campuses across Indiana.

Bauer, a Democrat from South Bend, praised the creation of the network.

"Democracy has truly come to higher education," he said. "This is about students everywhere, including those in the small towns and out on the farms."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.