Fiber-optics network links Utah County

OREM — Utah Valley is wired.

The Utah Valley Community Network, which officially opened Wednesday, links fiber-optic networks throughout Utah County, which has gained a reputation as the Beehive State's answer to Silicon Valley.

"In Utah Valley, we needed a network that could move large amounts of data to relatively short distances," said John Bowcut, network chairman.

"That's when we really started looking at how we could have a digital valley."

Spanish Fork, American Fork and Provo have fiber-optic networks in the cities.

"There have been fiber-optic networks in Utah Valley for many years," Bowcut said. "It became very apparent what we needed was a network that interconnected these if we wanted to move data efficiently."

In the past, an e-mail sent from neighbor to neighbor might first stop in Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles and finally arrive next door. A connected system would change that, making it easier and quicker to process information.

Gov. Mike Leavitt attended a Wednesday event heralding the start of the network.

UVCN is the first step in enabling teleconferencing and telecommuting, said Paul Venturella, Provo telecommunications manager.

The new fiber-optic cables will give Utah County residents the maximum bandwidth possible for audio, video and high-speed Internet uses. In the future, the cables might also provide better home security systems and easier electric meter box readings.

"This was just the tip of the iceberg," Venturella said. "It's the very first step in an exciting new road."

With fiber optics, students at UVSC will be able to access video courses at any time by making a few clicks with the television remote. Right now, students can access lectures at specific times on television to earn course credit. The network allows the school to digitally connect the main campus with its satellite campuses throughout Utah County.

"The availability of these materials is going to be tremendous," said Tom Nielson, director of media engineering and production at UVSC. "We can provide video on demand and provide education materials on demand to homes."

Network members are "going to have the ability of doing many times the types of speeds that can currently be offered on the Internet." Bowcut said.

"We're waiting a little bit for the technology to catch up, but we're good to go."

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