Friday, 22 September 2023 09:24

Internet companies provide connectivity in Cook Islands schools

By

Avaroa Cable, Ciena, BW Digital, and Vodafone Cook Islands (Vodafone) are working together to improve connectivity for 30 schools in the Cook Islands for the next three years (2023-2026).

The initiative is in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Cook Islands (MoE) and leverages existing Hawaiki (now owned by BW Digital) and Manatua submarine cables.

Ciena’s support includes the installation of Ciena 5160 Service Aggregation Switches in the Cook Islands and Sydney. It will also cover all costs for ongoing maintenance and support services for the duration of the project.

Some of Cook Islands schools were previously solely reliant upon satellite services for internet connectivity, significantly those in the Pa Enua (outer islands). Thus, they could not meet the service demands required for today’s learning needs.

Connectivity was often slow or unreliable due to high usage, especially during school hours. This makes it difficult for students and teaching staff to access online resources and communication platforms that require high bandwidth capacity.

The switch to submarine cable-based broadband connectivity for Rarotonga and Aitutaki from satellite services will provide a more stable user experience across all education premises, supporting the Cook Islands’ educational institutions as they embrace digital learning.

“Having improved and strengthened connectivity for our schools will revolutionise the teaching and learning experience for each of our education sectors. We are seeing more and more of our teaching and assessment opportunities being digitised or delivered online and having a dedicated and sustainable platform for our schools including our tertiary and vocational providers will mean we can confidently continue to deliver a quality education system,” Ministry of Education Cook Islands head of ministry Danielle Tungane Cochrane.

“E-learning programs will enable students and teachers living in the Cook Islands most isolated communities to gain quick, easy access to education that would otherwise not be so economical,” said ACL CEO Mike Schwarz.

“Connecting the Pacific Islands via submarine cables is no easy task. This collaboration is an important step forward to help improve digital connectivity for the next generation of Cook Islanders and is testament to the tenacity and mutual goodwill of all the teams involved in this important project,” said Ciena regional managing director ANZ and the pacific Ivan Polizzi.

“Pacific Islands’ connectivity has been at the heart of Hawaiki cable since its inception. We are proud to participate in this initiative, which will further bridge the digital divide in the South Pacific and empower Cook Islands students to learn and grow in a mature digital environment,” BW Digital CEO Ludovic Hutier.

Hutier added submarine cables have become a fundamental enabler of socio-economic progress across the Pacific, citing the groundbreaking HoloCampus 3D telepresence learning platform launched four years ago in American Samoa.

“The Cook Islands’ project is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when technological leaders join forces to better serve our community.”

“With the increasing shift towards ed-tech and online learning, it has been a pleasure to work closely with the MOE, Avaroa Cable and Hawaiki Cable to bring this initiative of delivering improved internet capacity to the MOE and all the schools in the Cook Islands,” said Vodafone Cook Islands CEO Phillip Henderson.

Read 1648 times

Please join our community here and become a VIP.

Subscribe to ITWIRE UPDATE Newsletter here
JOIN our iTWireTV our YouTube Community here
BACK TO LATEST NEWS here




WOMEN IN PROCESS MINING VIRTUAL EVENT

Enterprises are looking to integrate AI into process mining to future proof their operations.

The recently formed Australian chapter of Women in Process Mining (WIPM) is hosting a Zoom event from 1pm to 2pm on November 14 on the topic Using AI for Process Optimisation.

WIPM is a community designed for women in process mining; to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way for process mining together.

The event is being hosted by Chapter Leads Kanika Goel, PhD, Claudia M., and Susana Zavaleta, with special guest speaker Jack Basley from global process mining leader Celonis

Register for the Zoom event now!

REGISTER!

PROMOTE YOUR WEBINAR ON ITWIRE

It's all about Webinars.

Marketing budgets are now focused on Webinars combined with Lead Generation.

If you wish to promote a Webinar we recommend at least a 3 to 4 week campaign prior to your event.

The iTWire campaign will include extensive adverts on our News Site itwire.com and prominent Newsletter promotion https://itwire.com/itwire-update.html and Promotional News & Editorial. Plus a video interview of the key speaker on iTWire TV https://www.youtube.com/c/iTWireTV/videos which will be used in Promotional Posts on the iTWire Home Page.

Now we are coming out of Lockdown iTWire will be focussed to assisting with your webinars and campaigns and assistance via part payments and extended terms, a Webinar Business Booster Pack and other supportive programs. We can also create your adverts and written content plus coordinate your video interview.

We look forward to discussing your campaign goals with you. Please click the button below.

MORE INFO HERE!

BACK TO HOME PAGE
Kenn Anthony Mendoza

Kenn Anthony Mendoza is the newest member of the iTWire team. Kenn is also a contributing writer for South China Morning Post Style, and has written stories on Korean entertainment, Asian and European royalty, Millionaires and Billionaires, and LGBTQIA+ issues. He has been published in Philippine newspapers, magazines, and online sites: Tatler PhilippinesManila BulletinCNN Philippines LifePhilippine StarManila Times, and The Daily Tribune. Kenn now covers all aspects of technology news for iTWire.com.

Share News tips for the iTWire Journalists? Your tip will be anonymous

Subscribe to Newsletter

*  Enter the security code shown: img0