Satellite Extension Project Under Way

As you may recall, the National Science Foundation awarded a three-year, $4.3 million grant to ADEC in 2000. The project involves installing wireless satellite-based Internet services throughout the land-grant system and testing related educational effectiveness. In Nebraska, five TAPS (Tachyon Access Points) have been installed. These sites include the Lexington Public Library, Potter/Dix school district, Little Priest Tribal College, Nebraska Indian Community College and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. All sites are enjoying a minimum of 400K
(forward channel) / 256K (return channel) service, a couple of sites are experimenting with 800K (forward channel) service. In early October ADEC plans to use the satellite network to deliver an Oct. 3, H.323 multipoint interactive video presentation as part of the Megaconference III program, a section of the Internet2 member meetings being held in Austin, TX. Janet Poley will be live from Nebraska using AISEP satellite network and Polycom H.323 video equipment.