PSS to put up its own E-rate server

The Public School System expects to partially complete this January a phase of its proposed system-wide network infrastructure with the installation of a telecommunications server equivalent to the formidable system used by the United States Airforce and the Navy.

In the entire Pacific region, American Samoa’s public education sector is the sole entity equipped with such facility funded through an E-rate telecommunications discount. The CNMI may soon be comparable with American Samoa once the $10,000 server is put in place next year.

Technology Coordinator Mark B. Savares said the school system was supposed to tap two of the HPLC3 model servers under its original E-rate application package which could have doubled PSS’ capacity to obtain direct access to speedy telecommunication services.

So far PSS can only afford one server since the Schools and Libraries Division lowered its E-rate percentage discount from 82 to 76 percent.

The technology infrastructure is capable of hooking up the whole school system under Asynchronous Transfer Mode, a type of network architecture that would allow schools to avail of video teleconferencing, among others.

ATM, a groundbreaking addition to multi-enterprise networking, is projected to provide increased benefits than conventional shared-media networks, offering high-performance connection for workstation d servers.

The complex device also lists a number of advantages useful to an emerging wave of demanding applications.

According to Mr. Savares, after the server’s installation which would pave the way for the school-to-school and island-to-island connection, PSS would then focus on electronically wiring all public school classrooms.

“Though we have lost the funding for internal connections, the Governor’s Office has provided us with assistance. So with the funding secured, the next step is to get the contract literally going,” said Mr. Savares.

PSS targets to execute its contract with private telecommunications vendors on Dec. 4.

Meanwhile, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos has moved the E-rate survey forms submission to Nov. 16 in order to give parents more time to conscientiously fill out the questionnaires.

Some 36,000 questionnaires in three languages have been distributed to the schools which will determine CNMI’s eligibility to apply for highest E-rate percentage discount eyed to maximize students’ learning capabilities with adequate exposure to multi-media educational aids.