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[Michelle Pollak <>]

OHIO SCHOOLS BECOME FOUNDING MEMBERS OF STATE'S THIRD FRONTIER NETWORK

(Columbus, OH) - The Ohio SchoolNet Commission and the Ohio Department of 
Education have joined the Third Frontier Network as founding members of the 
nation's most advanced statewide fiber optic service for education and 
research.

The Third Frontier Network will link the state's colleges and universities, 
community colleges, branch campuses, K-12 Regional Service Agencies and 
eventually district locations to each other and the Internet.

 "We are pleased to represent Ohio's K-12 schools as equitable partners in 
the Third Frontier Network," said Ohio SchoolNet Executive Director H. 
Samuel Orth, III. "Ohio SchoolNet is committed to this project, which will 
enable us to ensure that Ohio's K-12 school districts' current and future 
connectivity needs are met."

"Too often, students don't connect with science because they are asked to 
learn by rote," said Roderick G.W. Chu, chancellor of the Ohio Board of 
Regents. "The TFN will connect classrooms to scientists in research labs 
trying to solve real-world problems. Students will see the development of 
samples, watch the experiment unfold, and share in the excitement of the 
results."

This equitable partnership will ensure uniform, consistent and 
cost-effective access to data, video and Internet applications by all 
users, including teachers, students and administrators in the State of Ohio.

"Ohio's future economic success will be based on its ability to compete in 
the technology economy," said Denis Walsh, Third Frontier Network Project 
Manager. "To ensure the state's success, the Third Frontier Network will 
build an education and research foundation that enables our students and 
researchers to lead the future development of high tech industries and jobs 
in Ohio."

The Third Frontier Network is a key infrastructure component of Ohio's 
multi-billion dollar Third Frontier Project and is a major component of 
Ohio Governor Bob Taft's Broadband Initiative.

Over the next five years, the Third Frontier Network backbone will be built 
in four phases that include the following segments:

… Phase 1:  Establish a statewide core backbone to major cities
… Phase 2:  Connect Ohio's research universities as well as the K-12 community
… Phase 3:  Connect Ohio's medium and smaller universities and colleges
… Phase 4:  Connect Ohio's corporate research centers with the academic 
research community

The organizations currently involved with the Third Frontier Network 
include Ohio SchoolNet, the Ohio Supercomputer Center, OARnet, the Ohio 
Department of Education, the Ohio Board of Regents, American Electric 
Power, WilTel Communications and American Fiber Systems.

About SchoolNet
Created in 1994, Ohio SchoolNet was charged with establishing access to 
data, voice and video networks for every public school classroom in the 
state. Ohio SchoolNet now administers more than 30 educational technology 
programs for public schools across Ohio. For more information about the 
Ohio SchoolNet Commission, visit http://www.osn.state.oh.us.

About Third Frontier Network
The Third Frontier Network (previously known as the Ohio Dark Fiber 
Initiative) is being created to provide advanced networking services to 
support higher education and research in the State of Ohio. This project's 
goal is to create a premier network that will enhance research, education 
and economic development and help expand Ohio's role and reputation in 
networking technology. For additional information about the Third Frontier 
Network, visit http://www.tfn.oar.net.

Contacts:
Carly Glick
The Ohio SchoolNet Commission
Tel: (614) 728-1886
Email: 


Kathryn Kelley
Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC)
Tel: (614) 292-6067
Email: 


Dan Downing
OARnet
Tel: (800) 627-8101 ext.228
Email: 


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