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Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) and the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) Announce a Fiber Gig

Lafayette, LA - The Lafayette Utilities System announced today that it would begin extending its fiber optics system to connect 24 locations within the Lafayette Parish School System. The extending of the existing fiber optic network will connect the main campus and administration complex to all schools located in the City of Lafayette.  These broadband improvements will be capable of supporting the Voice, Video and Data needs of the LPSS and is an increase of up to 6000% over their existing capabilities.

These new services will improve education and communications in the public school system.  Fiber optic broadband access will enable students to link with other schools via classroom video conferencing. 'Students will be able to build their teamwork skills, not just in the classroom but by interacting with other students from different countries.  The world will become accessible, and our children will be able to gain skills that will enable them to compete in our global economy,' Terry Huval, Director of Lafayette Utilities System explained.

Faster download speeds will allow schools to deliver richer online content, such as multimedia presentations for assemblies, video conferencing and long distance learning.  This will enable teachers to bring the most compelling educational solutions and experiences to students. Teachers will be able to quickly search, access, and retrieve appropriate educational resources and multimedia content to make lessons and presentations more engaging and interactive.

'In the coming years this is going to revolutionize the way we educate, and change the lives of school age children across Lafayette Parish,' said City-Parish President Joey Durel. 'There is a global base of knowledge to be explored and with the use of information and communication technology that fiber optics enables, we will be able to bring this to every classroom,' he explained.

Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) has already laid fiber optic cable to create the core loop of the network and connecting schools across the City with the 'last mile' of fiber is targeted for all twenty nine schools in the city to be connected in Phase I during the 2005-06 E-rate Funding Year.  Phase II proposes to continue extending the broadband access to the remaining 15 schools within the parish by the end of the 2007 funding period.

'What the Lafayette Consolidated Government, local School Board and schools must focus on is ensuring that the quality of our student’s technology experience is consistent across all schools,' he said.  'When this first objective is achieved and our subsequent build-out of Fiber to the Home is a reality in the coming years, our community will be a model of success that will continue to gain national attention,' Huval stated.

Currently LUS provides fiber optic access to the Lafayette Parish School System main campus, adult education facility, tax collection office, and J.Wallace James Elementary School.  With this new contract agreement, LUS will be increasing the 100 Mbps Wide Area Network (WAN) to a 1 Gbps WAN.

The LUS Powered Network is a 65-mile, 96-strand fiber optic loop that provides broadband and high-speed Internet access throughout the City of Lafayette with established connections to Tier 1 providers.  The network began transmitting working traffic in December 2000.  Today, the fiber optic network is being used to facilitate the connection of Lafayette Consolidated Government facilities, including the Chenier Center, Public Works, and City Hall, with other governmental entities.  

In addition, LUS has a network agreement with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to provide fiber optic connectivity between the main campus and the University Research Park to expand access, speed, and future growth opportunities.
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