Cooperative Link: Fall 2006

SOCRATES Likes Onvoy’s Telecommunications Philosophy—South Central Regional Area Telecommunications System Connects 67 Schools and Libraries with Minneapolis Firm’s Help

Can you tell if a student is chewing gum 50 miles away? Members of the South Central Regional Area Telecommunications System (SOCRATES) can.

Onvoy, Inc., a Minneapolis-based telecommunications company, established in 1988, as a collaborative effort of independent local telephone companies, has a three-year deal worth more than $3.5 million in which educational institutions and public libraries throughout south central Minnesota are linked via high-speed data lines—carrying Internet access, high speed data transmission, voice over IP, and high quality video.

Schools and public libraries throughout southern Minnesota use Onvoy’s network to access online curriculum resources, online classes, distance education, professional development opportunities, and Internet1 and Internet2. Public libraries will also offer electronic reference and research services, and Internet access to all people in south central Minnesota.

“Onvoy’s participation in distance learning with SOCRATES goes right to the core of our company’s mission,” said Janice Aune, Chairman and CEO of Onvoy. “Onvoy exists, in large part, in order to ensure that rural communities reap the benefits of advanced communications technologies. We’re using those technologies to create synergies among institutions that are vital to those communities—and the prospect of helping to improve the education of thousands of students make us particularly proud of both our mission and this opportunity.”

Onvoy’s expertise helped to ensure that the aggressive installation schedule was met, which means that service and equipment was ready to go in all participating SOCRATES locations prior to students returning to class in September.

“Onvoy brings a depth of telecommunications services that provide core instructional and information access support services for schools and public libraries in South Central Minnesota, based on leading-edge technology,” said Dale Carrison, Director of SOCRATES. “The students—and many other people—in the SOCRATES region will be well served by Onvoy.”

Onvoy is partnering with local rural telephone companies throughout the SOCRATES service area to ensure the fastest possible installation, maintenance, and support of this advanced education and information tool.



SCSC News Calendar of Events *Programs and Services* Carl Perkins / Center for Academic Excellence / EventWorks / Health and Safety / Insurance / SOCRATES / Special Education *Student Enrichment Programs* Chess Tournament / Knowledge Bowl / MN Academic Decathlon / Science & Nature Conference / Stock Market Game / Water is Life Art Contest / Student Events Calendar Fall Issue Home Page Previous Issues of Cooperative Link Return to SCSC Home Page	SOCRATES SOCRATES Likes Onvoy’s Telecommunications Philosophy—South Central Regional Area Telecommunications System Connects 67 Schools and Libraries with Minneapolis Firm’s Help Can you tell if a student is chewing gum 50 miles away? Members of the South Central Regional Area Telecommunications System (SOCRATES) can. Onvoy, Inc., a Minneapolis-based telecommunications company, established in 1988, as a collaborative effort of independent local telephone companies, has a three-year deal worth more than $3.5 million in which educational institutions and public libraries throughout south central Minnesota are linked via high-speed data lines—carrying Internet access, high speed data transmission, voice over IP, and high quality video. Schools and public libraries throughout southern Minnesota use Onvoy’s network to access online curriculum resources, online classes, distance education, professional development opportunities, and Internet1 and Internet2. Public libraries will also offer electronic reference and research services, and Internet access to all people in south central Minnesota. “Onvoy’s participation in distance learning with SOCRATES goes right to the core of our company’s mission,” said Janice Aune, Chairman and CEO of Onvoy. “Onvoy exists, in large part, in order to ensure that rural communities reap the benefits of advanced communications technologies. We’re using those technologies to create synergies among institutions that are vital to those communities—and the prospect of helping to improve the education of thousands of students make us particularly proud of both our mission and this opportunity.” Onvoy’s expertise helped to ensure that the aggressive installation schedule was met, which means that service and equipment was ready to go in all participating SOCRATES locations prior to students returning to class in September. “Onvoy brings a depth of telecommunications services that provide core instructional and information access support services for schools and public libraries in South Central Minnesota, based on leading-edge technology,” said Dale Carrison, Director of SOCRATES. “The students—and many other people—in the SOCRATES region will be well served by Onvoy.” Onvoy is partnering with local rural telephone companies throughout the SOCRATES service area to ensure the fastest possible installation, maintenance, and support of this advanced education and information tool.	This newsletter is also available as an Acrobat PDF (1.7 MB) Free Acrobat Reader required for viewing.