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Network Moving Forward, viNGN Tells Senate Panel

The V.I. Next Generation Network has awarded more than $20 million of project funding, viNGN President Lawrence Kupfer said at a Senate oversight hearing Tuesday to report on the progress of the multi-million dollar federally funded broadband project.

The viNGN expects to award an additional $9 million worth of construction services contracts before the end of this year, Kupfer said

“These awards come at a time when the Virgin Islands territory can truly benefit from such monies. Based on an analysis by the Bureau of Economic Research, we believe that the total impact to the territory’s economy, based on our spending of roughly $30 million, will be approximately $45 to $65 million,” Kupfer told the Economic Development, Technology and Agriculture Committee.

Kupfer and viNGN Vice President Kevin Hughes also gave an update on the trenching work for the broadband backbone, which they said has begun on both St. Croix and St. Thomas. The viNGN will be installing about 20 miles of underground conduit in both island districts. The trenching work will take roughly four months to complete and so far 1,000 feet has been completed on each island, Kupfer said.

Underground fiber optic installation crews are expected to begin installing fiber optic cable in existing V.I. Water and Power Authority underground conduits in November, he said.

Aerial fiber optic cable installation crews will begin installing fiber optic cable on existing WAPA utility poles in December, he said. Both jobs were awarded to All Rounder Systems LLC, with Innovative is performing part of the aerial work.

Seven public computing centers were officially open to the public on Oct. 31.

The first wave included centers on St. Croix at the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of the Virgin Islands, the Louis E. Brown Villas, the Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion and the V.I. Department of Labor. On St. Thomas PCCs opened at New Image Foundation, the V.I. Department of Labor and the V.I. Resource Center for the Disabled.

Currently, 28 center sites are in the works, Kupfer said.

"We now have identified a total of 33 sites and we are evaluating whether our budget will be able to support the development of these additional five sites," he said.

At the computer centers, users can take an eight-week Digital Literacy Training course, which introduces general computer and Internet skills. The course is made available through a partnership with viNGN, CyberLearning Inc. and the National Education Foundation.

More advanced training can follow after the successful completion of the Digital Literacy Course. This advance training includes Advanced Microsoft Word, Advanced Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Publisher.

It is also possible for residents to take preparatory classes in Cisco and Linux certifications, Kupfer said. "There is a library of over 5,000 online courses," he said in his written testimony.

"President Obama’s vision is to build a nationwide broadband network to provide the infrastructure for sustained economic growth by creating new jobs and industries, providing consumers with new sources of information, enhancing the nation’s safety and security, and connecting communities," Kupfer said.

He referred to Obama calling “the broadband initiative the modern day equivalent of the building of the transcontinental railroad or the interstate highway system.”

“Governor deJongh shared President Obama’s vision and, by taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in this initiative, the Virgin Islands avoids being left behind as the rest of the country shifts its economy into the digital age," Kupfer said.

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