WiscNet connects Wisconsin schools and Internet 2

WiscNet, Wisconsin’s educational, research and governmental Internet network, enables Wisconsin schools to gain access to Internet 2.

This “New Internet” is a national consortium started by more than 170 universities in partnership with industry and government to develop and deploy advanced network applications and technologies, accelerating the creation of tomorrow’s Internet.

Internet 2 will allow users to collaborate and access information in ways not possible using today’s Internet. Tele-immersion, virtual laboratories, digital libraries and distributed instruction are just a few examples of Internet 2 applications areas.

Unlike the original Internet, which was initially created by a relatively small number of researchers to suit the needs of scientists and the U.S. Defense Department, Internet 2 is being created to serve a broader population.

“Most people would recognize the Internet is a critical learning and information resource for all levels of education and public service today,” says David Lois, executive director of WiscNet.”Yet, it may come as a surprise to many people that the Internet was mostly hidden from K-12 schools and the public for 20 years.This initiative changes that.It acknowledges that all of education needs to play a role in, and have access to, advanced, state-of-art networks now.”

WiscNet serves a diverse membership of 750,000-plus people, and 505 institutional sites statewide consisting of state agencies, many city and county governments, most Wisconsin’s colleges and universities, more than 75 percent of the state’s K-12 school districts, most library systems, and several hospitals and other non-profit organizations. All will be able to contribute to the development of Internet 2.

Ross Wilson, chair of the WiscNet Board, says, “This was a difficult issue for the Board to grapple with.We knew Wisconsin needed to be a part of this important new initiative, yet we need to be cost conscious.Fortunately, thanks to a key partnership and an existing need for out of state Internet access, we were able to lower our Internet cost and connect to Internet 2.”

“This could not have happened without a partnership between WiscNet, the UW System, UW–Madison and UW-Milwaukee,” adds Lois. “Even so, we can’t relax yet, if we’re to respond to the ongoing challenges and changing demands of Wisconsin’s students.”