Government Shared Network Gets Nod
Posted on: Monday, 8 August 2005, 15:00 CDT
THE Government has approved the development of a nationwide voice and data network that will be shared by government agencies, earmarking $14 million to help pay for its set-up costs.
The State Services Commission, which is leading the project, has found some government agencies are paying twice as much for network bandwidth as other agencies.
It expects the Government Shared Network will cut communications costs, particularly for smaller government agencies, and reduce spending on toll calls.
Agencies will also be able to back up their computer files over the network to computer storage facilities maintained offsite.
The network will consist of a fibre optic network linking agencies in Wellington and a wide area network that will reach out to their branch offices nationwide.
The funding approved by Cabinet will cover the costs of setting up a body to oversee the creation of the network and manage it, as well as the cost of putting in place some of the initial infrastructure, such as systems needed to ensure the network is secure.
The operational costs of the network will be paid for by participating agencies out of their existing baseline funding.
State Services Minister Trevor Mallard expects all state sector agencies will use the network in some way by March 2008. Participation will be voluntary but core government departments will be required to at least evaluate using the network when their existing network supply contracts come up for renewal.
"Now is a good time for agencies to come on board as their input in the early stages will help ensure their differing needs are met," says Mr Mallard.
The SSC has invited telcos to express interest in supplying the network infrastructure. It expects to pick suppliers by December and says the Wellington fibre optic network should be fully operational by July 2006.
--------------------
Source: Dominion Post
Related Articles
- DDB Group Germany Writes History: First Network Agency Ever to Become Germany's Agency of the Year
- Mundus Group, Inc. Announces AirStar Weather Systems to Continue VTOL UAV Patrols for Government Agencies in Gulf Coast States Providing Real Time Data on 'Lookout' for Hurricane Bill
- Less Is More: Simpler Network and Lower Cost
- Musicians Institute Offers Full Range of US Government and California State Financial Aid for Innovative Music Video, Film and TV Program
- YourCity.MD Sets Up Largest Single Owned, Geo-Targeted Online Ad Network Covering 450 Cities and States Across U.S.
- Juniper Networks Selected For New Western States Contracting Alliance Procurement Vehicle
- I-Media Acquires WV Fiber Network; Acquisition Provides Immediate Improvement to Financials With Network Contract Revenue; Cost Containment Begins With Gain of Global IP Network Infrastructure
- AIDS Funds Could Drop: Advocates Fear Proposed U.S. Changes Could Cost the State $19 Million a Year.
- Administration's Budget Would Cut Federal Medicaid Costs By Shifting Costs to States, According to Report
- Aurora Networks Introduces 100GHz DWDM Optical Networking Platform; Efficient, Cost-Effective System Dramatically Reduces Fiber Consumption in High-Capacity Networks
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds