KENSINGTON AND AREA EDUCATORS AND TOURISTS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW HIGH-SPEED SERVICE OFFERING
Underserved High-speed Internet Users in Kensington and Surrounding areas have a New Internet Service Provider
April 18, 2008
Kensington and surrounding areas will have a new ISP (Internet Service Provider). Underserved residents, in and around Kensington, will have the
opportunity to communicate and learn with the rest of the world at high speed.
KenNet Inc., a not-for-profit rural technology center, in partnership with an Inukshuk Learning plan initiative, are bringing a new wireless high
speed alternative to this area. This partnership, which is being powered by ISN wireless, brings together three stakeholders with a common goal of
providing high speed internet access to the underserved areas.
"This project was started late last year and centered on community based goals", states KenNet general manager Jay Hammer. "We wanted to
help even the playing field for the local learning institutions. A connectivity discrepancy between "in and out of town" students has
limited the development of online learning tools. By increasing access to high speed connectivity, we will increase local learning institutes'
abilities to reach out to students", elaborates Hammer.
A further project goal will be the establishment of a free internet "hot spot" which will be located in Kensington's Train Station Center
for the tourism season. "A significant amount of traffic drives by our doors during the tourism season. By providing free internet access, we are
providing visitors with an incentive to stop and use the free service provided", comments Hammer
The partnership between KenNet and ISN wireless is a great example of how communities in underserved areas can work together to offer high speed
internet. ISN Wireless has been working steadily over the last 8 months, connecting islanders in the eastern part of PEI. "ISN Wireless is
pleased to be working with KenNet, Inukshuk, and the residents in this area as we fulfill our mandate of assisting communities in underserved
areas", explains ISN representative Wayne Phelan.
Testing will be ongoing over the next 2 weeks to establish a comprehensive coverage map. At the present time, interested residents can contact KenNet
at 836-4003 to inquire about service in their area.
Inukshuk Wireless www.inukshuk.ca
The Inukshuk Wireless broadband network is currently available in 90 centres across Canada. Built in conjunction with Bell Canada and Rogers
Communications, the Inukshuk Wireless network is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Inukshuk Wireless Learning Plan
As part of Inukshuk Wireless's MCS licence, Inukshuk Wireless has committed to fulfill a Learning Plan based on what is known as the three Cs:
Connectedness, Content and Continuity. This is a unique opportunity for Inukshuk Wireless to create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with
learning communities.
To provide ongoing support for the Learning Plan, Inukshuk Wireless has also committed to provide continued funding in each of the regions for which
it was awarded a licence.
Inukshuk Wireless's Learning Plan is the result of extensive consultation with the learning community in each of the regions for which it was awarded
an MCS licence, carried out to identify their needs and priorities. Moreover, the Plan complements rather than competes with measures adopted and
proposed in Canada by learning communities and governments.
Inukshuk Wireless's Advisory Committees
In each region where Inukshuk Wireless was awarded a licence, Advisory Committees were created with the mandate to assist Inukshuk Wireless in the
evaluation and funding process of Inukshuk Wireless's Learning Plan. Instituting ongoing consultation ensures that the needs of Canada's learning
communities will be well served by the Plan, as well as by Inukshuk Wireless's significant contribution in this regard. The Committees consist of
individuals who are leaders in adopting information and communications technologies. They will also make recommendations to Inukshuk Wireless
regarding projects that should be encouraged under the Learning Plan.
Connectedness
Given the tremendous evolution in recent years, both in terms of performance and cost effectiveness, of MCS technology, Inukshuk Wireless is hopeful
to accelerate the deployment of its network through the Learning Plan and extend coverage in communities that are not served or are underserved by
broadband networks today.
Content
The development of quality learning content is another priority identified by Canada's learning communities in order to ensure the success of on-line
learning. As part of the Learning Plan, Inukshuk Wireless encourages the development of multimedia-rich learning content that allow learners across
the country to embrace on-line learning.
Continuity
Inukshuk Wireless's Learning Plan marks the beginning of the company's relationship with Canada's learning communities. The Plan is expected to
evolve over time as technology, applications and educational methods advance, such that learning communities and Inukshuk Wireless will continue to
be well served
KenNet Inc
KenNet Inc. is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated provincially under the Prince Edward Island Companies Act, located in the Town of
Kensington, Prince Edward Island. KenNet Inc. owns and is responsible for the overall development and operation of the KenNet Regional Technology
Centre. A staff person provides the day-to-day management of the facility under the direction of a Board of Directors.
The mandate of KenNet Inc is:
- to promote and accelerate access to the Internet to people of all ages for individual use and community benefit;
- to provide training in the use of the Internet to all levels of interest in the community;
- to plan, implement and manage a broad range of projects and services to demonstrate innovative ways to use the resources of the Internet for
- economic, social and cultural development;
- to encourage broadly-based participation of all organizations, groups and individuals with special emphasis on the involvement of young people in all
- activities of the Association;
- to become a self-sustaining learning organization capable or carrying out and improving the aims and objectives of this association in response to
- the rapid changes associated with the Internet and related technologies;
- to seek public and private funding to implement the aims and objectives of the Association.
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