UA Launches Statewide Fiber Optic Network

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas is about to connect to an Internet network that will increase its on-campus network transmission speed by 20 times and the off-campus network speed by almost 100 times. On Monday, Dec. 18, the university will launch the eCorridors’ Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (AREON), creating a fiber optic network within the state and linking Arkansas to both regional and national optical networks.

For researchers and educators, the improvement will be like changing a home computer from dial-up to high-speed internet. In this case, however, AREON will provide 2,000 times the bandwidth available to even the highest speed DSL or cable service connection.  

 “This is a tremendous leap forward,” said Robert Zimmerman, director of the university’s computer services. “AREON will provide great opportunities for research projects and medical services, greatly improved educational possibilities, as well as opening up new economic opportunities for the state.”

The AREON system will be introduced during a special ceremony that starts with a news conference at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 18 in the Helen Walton Reading Room of the Mullins Library.  Gov. Mike Huckabee will be a special guest, along with Dr. Linda Beene, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and UA Chancellor John A. White. They will explain the importance of AREON for Arkansas’ economic development and discuss the ways the network can enhance both research and teaching.

Huckabee was an early advocate for AREON.  Last December, he provided $6.4 million in state funding for the University of Arkansas to create the fiber optic network in the state, and connect it to regional and national networks.

The governor will see the results of that investment during a demonstration immediately after the news conference. Amy Apon, a UA professor of computer science and computer engineering, and Thomas Sterling, a professor at Louisiana State University’s Center for Computation and Technology, will show how AREON can be used to set up a real-time high definition video and audio link.  For this demonstration they’ll be connecting with the director of LSU’s Center for Computation and Technology, Ed Seidel, on the LSU campus, to demonstrate how the network can be used to send video and complex computer graphics from site to site instantly.

Two additional demonstrations will provide examples of the kinds of information that can be sent along the fiber optic network. Fred Limp, director of the university’s Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST) will demonstrate the types of complex, interactive, three-dimensional computer images can’t be sent without the high speed of the AREON network. Scott Lunsford, associate director of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, will provide examples of the video interviews and documentaries that can be shared instantly with anyone from university researchers to elementary school classrooms.

“In the past,” Limp said, “if two researchers wanted to share the huge amounts of data used to create these 3D images the best they could do is put it on a disc and send it by Federal Express. With AREON it’s practically an instant connection, as if they were working in the same room. All they need is a connection to the network and they can access the data, interact with it and share the results.”

The first of those UA connections is complete, but more will follow as work continues on the AREON system. The network will ultimately expand far beyond the Fayetteville campus. The higher education bond issue approved by voters last month includes funding to link every four-year university in the state into AREON. In addition, long-range plans call for including Arkansas public school systems and medical centers in the network. The network is also seen as a high-tech asset that can help attract new industries and businesses to the state.