Cheaper access to telecommunications for rural schools

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 641, 18 June 1996, Page 6

Cheaper access to telecommunications for rural schools

Rural schools will soon be able to link with a national education telecommunications network so that they can have cheaper access to other schools and the Internet. "Cost is a major factor in the establishment of distance technology in rural schools. Equipment , installation and training, operating and maintenance costs all mount up — and schools are open during the day, so they generally have to use telecommunications networks at peak times — when the cost of these services are greatest," reports the Rural Bulletin, published by MAF and Internal Affairs. The report states that all schools will soon be able to benefit from a new scheme called EdCom (Education Communications Network) that has been designed to provide school sites with a more cohesive and cost effective way to negotiate cheaper (discounted) telecommunications in the future. The EdCom Network will also provide a way to obtain support and "value-added" network services for schools, for their various telelearning functions and for accessing the Internet.

The scheme is aimed at greater flexibility of access and significant pricing breaks for rural schools. EdCom has been devel-

oped by Multi Serve Education Trust with an establishment group involving the Rural Education Reference Group, the NZ Principals' Federation, the NZ School Trustees Association, and the Ministry of Education. Multi Serve has just finished negotiating an EdCom package with Telecom which includes a range of pricing benefits and services. EdCom also plans to provide school and teacher development programmes in the cost effecti ve use of information technology.