K-Net Services

Affordable Network Access

K-Net negotiations with Bell Canada have substantially reduced the cost of regional access to broadband services. In 1998, published tariffs indicated per community access at almost $7,000 per month. K-Net's MOU with Bell Canada identifies an aggregated [bulk purchase] per community cost of approximately $3,700 per month for ATM switched guaranteed bit rate services and $1,840 per month for 1.544 mbps frame relay access - a net decrease of between 48% and 74% in the total cost of network access.

Growth in Digital Service to NAN Communities

In 1998, none of the 52 NAN communities could purchase full access digital broadband services. In July 2000, these services were available in five NAN First Nations. K-Net forecasts that this number will quadruple to 20 First Nations by July 2001. In September 2000, K-Net implemented a "proof-of-concept" broadband network in Keewaytinook communities. The following month, K-Net and Telesat Canada successfully tested a broadband solution for satellite-based communities.

Local Area and Municipal Area Networking (MAN)

A local area network connects all offices within a facility and a MAN connects the major community institutions (the school, the band office, nursing stations, constabulary) and provides a single source of live internet access. In 1998, K-Net developed and implemented an ethernet LAN/wireless MAN solution in Keewaytinook communities. Since then, this approach has been adopted by nine other First Nations.

Network Design and Strategy Development

In 1999/2000, K-Net assisted with the development of three technical strategies and more than 20 networking and broadband development proposals. Most of these products have been submitted for funder consideration and approval.

Capacity Building

Between 1997 and 2000, K-Net managed four regional networking training programs, filling over 50 training spaces in 17 communities. In addition, K-Net has provided technology support and training for the First Nations Band Manager Training Institute, the Aboriginal Teacher Assistant Program, and the NTEP program. K-Net has also developed on-line training tutorials and provided specialized skills development programs on an as needed basis.

Community Access to the Internet

In 1998, only six communities had established public computer facilities where people could access the internet. This year, people in 35 NAN First Nations have access to community computing and internet sites.

Helpdesk Services

The K-Net SchoolNet helpdesk service has seen a steady increase in the number of support calls since it began in 1996. The HelpDesk fields about 10 calls per day for technical assistance in both hardware and software applications. K-Net Services employs a full-time technician to address Helpdesk issues. In addition, K-Net staff regularly field hardware and software questions on the K-Net Conferencing system.

K-Net e-Mail Account Penetration

In 1998, there were approximately 1200 active K-Net accounts. The majority of these accounts were users dialing in to check their messages on the K-Net conference system. In October 2000 this number had more than doubled to nearly 3000 active K-Net accounts.