Under the contract, Unisys will design and implement the WAN network built on a high-speed Cisco infrastructure. The WAN will provide added bandwidth to deliver shared information services to Kent County Council, Kent schools, Canterbury Council and Thanet Council.
The council plans to develop a cost-effective communication service among local government agencies, and provide new information services to residents. The network will initially connect approximately 1,100 public sector establishments, including schools, council offices and libraries.
The extra bandwidth of the network is expected to double the internet access capacity of many primary schools in the council. The network will be available to all public service bodies within the Kent boundaries.
Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, said: We expect that the benefits the network will bring in terms of collaboration, governmental linkage and common shared infrastructure will, in turn, result in enhanced public services for the people of Kent.
Earlier in 2008 the council implemented SolarWinds’ network management software to maintain the network, servers and applications at more than 600 schools across the county that are connected to the Kent Community Network.
Among other councils, Northumberland County Council selected SkyPilot Networks in May 2008 to install a new wireless data network throughout the county to provide wireless connectivity to various services.
