- 21 June 2024
- 6 min read
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Over the past two years, we’ve all relied on our internet more than ever before. This is especially true for schools, who had to move all classes and resources online during the pandemic. So with more virtual lessons and ever increasing internet traffic, can existing network infrastructure meet schools’ new demands? For many, the answer is no.
There are still areas across the UK that don’t have access to full fibre connectivity and until recently, the Liverpool City Region (LCR) was one of them. The archaic copper infrastructure in these boroughs, limits local schools’ ability to integrate technology into their teaching and utilise digital resources and virtual learning to enhance students’ education.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, along with ITS and NGE, recognised the growing demands placed on schools and academies in the area and launched the LCR Connect initiative.
Essentially, LCR Connect will upgrade the internet connection of schools, businesses, public sector organisations and charities in the Liverpool City Region. The new infrastructure will deliver high speed, full fibre optic connectivity to six district boroughs:
All in all, the project will deliver fast, reliable and secure connectivity to 246 schools in the Liverpool City Region. The new network will comprise of 212km of fibre optic cable across the district, providing full fibre connectivity capable of reaching speeds of 1Gb or more.
LCR Connect is working in partnership with ITS, hi-impact, and Exa. While ITS will handle the installation, we will work with hi-impact to deliver internet services to schools across the Liverpool City Region.
hi-impact was set up 14 years ago by Alan Thompson, a former teacher with a passion to improve digital skills and learning experiences in schools. They are experts in embedding technology into the curriculum of education providers, and recently won the Business of the Year Award in Liverpool Echo’s Regional Business Awards.
We started working with hi-impact ten years ago when the original council services were deemed overpriced and no longer fit for purpose. hi-impact were looking to partner with an ISP that could meet the schools’ needs and work in a more flexible way, and we stepped up to help.
Our work with hi-impact has given us insight into the changing needs of schools in the Liverpool Region. For many years now, schools have required fast download speeds to acquire new resources, watch videos and read emails. With more schools using tools like cloud computing and streaming services, demand has increased whilst requiring these services to work instantly.
Pressure on schools has only grown, with stricter budgets and a focus on results. Schemes like LCR Connect help by providing schools with high quality internet that can facilitate the ever increasing reliance on digital learning tools at a cost-effective price.
New government standards state schools need to upgrade to a full fibre connection as soon as possible. You can read the latest updates in our KCSiE Updates 2022 blog.
While these standards can be accommodated by many urban schools, if budget allows, the biggest benefits will be seen in the connection itself, by rural schools. Full fibre infrastructure is expensive to install – cable needs to be laid and roads dug up. For schools in towns and cities, this costs less as ISPs can use their existing cable trunking. Rural schools, however, need brand new cables laid – which pushes the price above their budget.
With LCR Connect, a whole range of service users benefit from the same infrastructure. The setup costs are shared across many organisations. This means the initiative is an affordable way for schools to benefit from high speed, full-fibre internet.
LCR Connect comes as we launch Exa Protect & Connect® – a bundle of internet services including safeguarding and security systems that ensure schools meet government standards. The Protect element includes:
With the launch of Protect & Connect® and the LCR Connect roll out we want to lift the limits currently placed on schools in the Liverpool City Region, and empower them to integrate technology even further into their teaching and learning. We can only hope more areas see the benefits of similar schemes in the near future.
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Exa is a trading name of Exa Networks Limited | Registered Company Number: 04922037 | VAT Number: 829 1565 09 | © Copyright Exa Networks Limited 2023 | All Rights Reserved
Exa is a trading name of Exa Networks Limited
Registered Company Number: 04922037
VAT Number: 829 1565 09
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