About Us
CEN’s purpose is to deliver reliable, high-speed internet access, data transport, and value-added services to its members throughout Connecticut.
Established in 2000 to integrate high speed fiber optics networks into institutions of education statewide, governed by the Commission for Education Technology.
We help deliver on the promise of equality in education by providing access to technology that schools and libraries would not be able to afford on their own. This investment is supported by the State of Connecticut, private schools, nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education that are committed to the idea of overall improvement in education and broad support for access to technology.
Eligible K-12 and libraries can also take advantage of E-rate funding. CEN is an E-rate service provider, our 498 ID (formerly SPIN) is: 143049066.
In an effort to remove barriers to technology, CEN supports “Open Access” use of the network, which allows any entity to join the network at a fair price. “Open Access” provides greater access for areas of the state from where it has been prohibitively expensive to obtain high-speed internet access and could include town-to-town sharing of databases and remote access to municipal applications.
CEN is CT’s research and education network and we represent CT at many regional and national meetings and in organizations such as NEREN, Global Noc, Internet2, The Quilt, SHLB and NERCOMP.
Background & History
The CEN was established in 2000 with an important mission: ensure that students across the state have access to great technology and content on a network that will grow with them. Over the last 15 years, CEN has delivered on that promise. Through the use of federal broadband investments, state general funds, and customer payments, CEN has saved the state’s schools and libraries more than $50 million, when compared with the cost of procuring broadband access through commercial providers.
Scroll horizontally to see CEN’s progression!
The CEN was established in 2000 with an important mission: ensure that students across the state have access to great technology and content on a network that will grow with them. Over the last 15 years, CEN has delivered on that promise. Through the use of federal broadband investments, state general funds, and customer payments, CEN has saved the state’s schools and libraries more than $50 million, when compared with the cost of procuring broadband access through commercial providers.
Scroll horizontally to see CEN’s progression!
Prepare
Lt. Governor Jodi Rell is asked to make recommendations to ensure that CT’s schools and libraries are prepared to meet the computer and information technology needs of the 21st Century.
Established
Public Act 00-187 establishes the Connecticut Education Network under the auspices of a new Connecticut Commission for Education Technology.
Connects
CEN connects first school district (Bristol Public Schools) with a 155Mbps OC-3, replacing its 1.544 Mbps T1 circuit.
Endorses
CET endorses the CEN Architecture Policies; State signs a master agreement allowing a private company to build fiber supporting CEN connections through the state.
Sponsor
August 25: UConn and Yale sponsor CEN members for Internet2 connectivity through SEGP (Sponsored Education Group Program).
Go-live
December: Governor Rell enables ‘go-live’ of the CEN members connecting to NEREN.
K-12 Districts
All K-12 districts connected to CEN, enabling new teaching and learning opportunities statewide for CT’s next generation educated workforce. First in the country!
Funding Boost
Gov. Rell announces funding boost to continue linking schools to CEN within districts and aggregate traffic tops 1Gbps.
Savings
K-12 districts report an average of $20,000/year savings by connecting to CEN; All CT State Universities, System Offices, and Community Colleges connected via fiber.
BTOP Block Grant
Co-awarded federal Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program (BTOP) block grant. $35M (of $90M) to CEN with new ‘open access’ provisions allowing municipal and state government, public safety, healthcare, ‘any’ member groups to join for a fair price.
Backbone Capacity
Backbone capacity increased tenfold through BTOP upgrade and expansion.
Ethernet
Completed K-12 district upgrades enabling gigabit Ethernet connections in every district.
Annual Conference
CEN welcomed a new director. Annual conference started, providing a forum for collaboration, innovation, and community best practice. Approximately 300 in attendance.
Municipalities
CT PA 13-247 grant fund for municipalities and regional councils of governments (RCOG) to connect. Resulting in over 100 municipalities connecting over time.
NSF Grant
Via NSF grant, completed a science DMZ; established 100 Gig research corridor between UConn Storrs and UConn Health in Farmington.
Saves Millions
Completed 100 Gbps connection to Internet2, becomes R&E ‘regional connector;’ DDoS service starts at no additional cost to members, mitigates 245 attacks in the first year, saving millions in productivity for the state.
Libraries
Awarded 1st CT Library Fiber Consortia bid, begin connecting additional libraries with high-speed fiber; State appropriation to wind down to $0 by 2019; become an E-Rate service provider.
Advisory Councils
CEN welcomed a new director, re-established advisory councils, receives $1.5M bond for equipment.
Network Capacity
Upgrades network core capacity to 200 Gbps. Aggregate peak traffic tops 100 Gbps. State appropriation swept for cost-cutting, in-year operational self-sustainment comes 1 year early. Cost avoidance to the state due to the existence of CEN calculated up to $29M annually.
Into the Future
New strategic plan released!
Vision
CEN will serve as the trusted partner through which Connecticut’s digital and human networks connect, collaborate, and share resources to realize the full potential of digital learning, research, and citizenry.
Mission
Empower our member institutions to execute their missions through technology, collaboration, and digital transformation with secure, reliable, and value-added advanced network and Internet solutions.
Values
| Member Focus | Provide a member focus that offers unmatched value through a unique appreciation of member needs as a true trusted partner based on a not-for-profit model. |
| Transparency | Be open in our processes, communication, and sharing of information to the membership and related stakeholder groups. |
| Integrity | Be honest and forthright in every way and consistent in our approach to doing the right things the right way. |
| Efficiency | Provide sustainable services efficiently and flexibly, using available resources. |
| Equity | Provide high-quality resources and products to all members for the benefit and growth of the statewide connected community. |
| Excellence | Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, flexibility, accountability, and superior member outcomes. |
Strategic Plan
The goals and strategies herein represent the needs of the community and the overall approach to what CEN must do to remain competitive and relevant (Goal 1), to differentiate itself from commercial counterparts and ensure continual alignment with our members (Goals 2-4), and to provide foundational support of the overall platform on which all other goals depend (Goal 5).
2019-2024 Goals
| Goal 1: Provide Value | Expand the service portfolio to provide value and enhance Internet and network capabilities at scale, heighten security, and increase the overall knowledge and understanding of those technologies and services. |
| Goal 2: Ignite Innovation | Empower members through a suite of services tailored to their needs that encourage excellence and innovation. |
| Goal 3: Foster Collaboration | Engage the local membership and national R&E community to provide technical and functional network services that serve the specific needs of CEN member communities. |
| Goal 4: Promote Advocacy | Pursue activities to enhance brand awareness such that members and policy decision makers are engaged in activities to help articulate CEN’s value proposition and impact public policy initiatives. |
| Goal 5: Enhance Core Resources | Pursue opportunities to leverage, develop, and enhance CEN’s core technology and human resources for the foundational success of the program in pursuit of member needs. |
