16 August 2011
LIME TO ENABLE E-LEARNING ACROSS CARIBBEAN
Broadband-enabled education will aid regional development
LIME, the Caribbean business of Cable & Wireless Communications, has begun a major project to improve education across the Caribbean, creating a new network to connect universities and colleges regionally and internationally.
The broadband network, called C@ribNET, will be the region‟s first research network, effectively an „academic internet‟. C@ribNET will initially connect 15 higher and further education institutions (including universities and colleges) across the Caribbean. It will also interconnect with similar networks covering the United States (Internet 2), Latin America (Red Clara) and Europe (GÉANT).
Students will have far better distance learning opportunities, with the ability to access courses and educational resources remotely. This will broaden choice – for instance allowing a Caribbean student to join a virtual course taught in the United States.
The C@ribNET network will allow lecturers and researchers to collaborate and share work easily and securely between institutions and countries, creating online academic communities which will work together on new ideas and initiatives to tackle regional issues.
David Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of LIME, commented:
“The motivation for C@ribNET is to develop the Caribbean region by creating greater access to education, leading in turn to higher levels of attainment. This is an example of LIME using our extensive network to provide a social telecoms solution which should greatly benefit the region over the years to come.”
C@ribNET was commissioned by the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN), a division of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). Funding for the project was provided by the European Union. LIME has signed a US$6.5 million two-year contract with the CKLN to design and provide connectivity for the network, and then to train and support technical staff.
C@ribNET is expected to be operational by the end of 2011.
The CKLN has already commissioned a number of pilot projects which will utilise C@ribNET:
Remote access
– TA Marryshow Community College in Grenada is running a pilot project to provide courses via videoconference, linking its campus in the capital, St. George‟s to the island‟s northernmost Parish, St. Patrick and its sister island of Carricou.
Greater resources
– The Library and Information Society of Jamaica, Caribbean Disaster Information Network, CARICOM Implementation Society for Crime and Security and the University of the West Indies Open Campus have all shown strong interest in sharing their resources using C@ribNET.
About CARICOM
CARICOM is a governmental grouping of 15 Caribbean nations which has a remit to promote the region‟s development, foster economic co-operation and manage foreign policy.
About Cable & Wireless Communications
Cable & Wireless Communications is a global full-service communications business. We operate leading communications businesses through four regional units – the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands. Our services include mobile, broadband and domestic and international fixed line services in most of our markets as well as pay TV, data centre and hosting, carrier and managed service /social telecom (telecom enabled public services) solutions. Our operations are focused on providing our customers – consumers, businesses, governments – with world-class service. Serving the communities where we operate is at the heart of our approach, and we are committed to behaving in an ethical and socially responsible manner. For more information visit www.cwc.com.
About LIME
LIME is the Caribbean‟s leading telecommunications company, focused on building products and services that make Caribbean people‟s lives better. LIME‟s aim is to deliver the best communication services across the board, full stop. LIME is part of Cable & Wireless Communications, one of the world‟s leading international communications companies. From standing at the centre of recovery efforts during times of national emergency to investing more than US$5million into major carnivals, which celebrate culture, music, dance and the Caribbean identity, LIME works tirelessly to make things better for Caribbean communities. For more information visit: www.lime.com
Contacts:
Cable & Wireless Communications
Media
Lachlan Johnston
+44(0) 20 7315 4006 / +44 (0) 7800 021 405
Steve Smith
+44(0) 20 7315 4070
Investors
Sheldon Bruha
+44(0) 20 7315 4178
Kunal Patel
Maitland
Neil Bennett/ Brian Cattell
+44(0) 20 7315 4083
+44(0) 207 379 5151
