Regions
Higher and further education needs
We work studiously with regional higher education metropolitan
area networks (MANs), funded by the UK Educational Research Network
Association (UKERNA). We’ve also worked with UKERNA and the
Learning and Skills Council to implement high-speed broadband
access from the MANs to colleges of further education.
We also work with regional ADITs. These were set up by a joint
DTI and Regional Development Agency initiative to aggregate
regional networks and achieve best value.
Regional networks
West Midlands Regional Broadband Network
The West Midlands Networking Company Ltd (WMNC) was set up in
August 2003 to develop and operate West Midlands Regional Broadband
Network (WMRBN), a broadband network, linking public sector
organisations in the West Midlands region.
This is the first regional network of its kind in the UK to link
together local authorities and universities, initially providing
regional coverage and connectivity for 14 local authorities and the
eight MidMAN universities throughout the west midlands. The
Regional Network also connects 42 FE colleges and Adult Learning
Centres.
SWERN
The South West England Regional Network (SWERN) connects the
Universities of Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire
and the West of England providing connections for other South West
HEIs and some 40+ FE Colleges. SWERN serves approximately 450,000
users. Apparently, for providing the backbone circuits for this
network, we passed with Honours.
NIRAN
With the objective of developing a new network to provide high
quality bandwidth for its member institutions, NIRAN turned to us.
Its principle aim is to facilitate the best use of teaching,
learning and research content available, via the Joint Academic
Network (JANET) and the internet.
