Nortel Networks and Cable & Wireless Jamaica have partnered to provide the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies with an advanced wireless local area network and related security system, valued at some J$700,000.00.

The official handing over of the equipment took place at the offices of the UWI’s Management Information Technology Services (MITS) on Thursday, May 27.

The network equipment, which is manufactured by Nortel, allows the UWI to extend the availability of access to the Internet and the University’s Intranet to students, administrators and lecturers in a speedy and cost-effective manner.

Speaking at the brief handing over ceremony, Nortel Networks’ Country Representative for Jamaica, Ruby Robinson, said the gift underscored her company’s commitment to advancing the delivery of educational services throughout the Caribbean and follows the donation, some years ago of a data laboratory, valued at US$1.5-million, to the UWI’s St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad.

Account Manager at Cable & Wireless Jamaica, Bev Wellington said that C&WJ Company had made assistance to the University one of its priorities over the years and has now set up teams across the Caribbean to support its service delivery efforts throughout the region. ‘Cable & Wireless’ presence in over fourteen Caribbean countries fits well into UWI’s strategy to expand its reach and deliver higher education to students – anytime, anywhere’ she said.

In accepting the gift on behalf of the University, Chief Information Officer, Carlton Samuels said it would be a big boost to the University in its efforts to deliver its services. He noted that the wireless system extends the coverage and connectivity to the University’s information resources, adding that the ability to connect wirelessly to the university network was beneficial for students, administrators and lecturers alike.

The network is able to accommodate just over 1000 simultaneous users at speeds of up to 11 megabits per second. Access to authenticated users is now available from the Main Library and six lecture theatres on the Mona Campus.