BBN press release about Lexington project

Date: Thu, 10 Mar 1994 11:53:08 -0500
From: Rebecca Wetzel 
Subject: NEARNET Pilots Municipal Networking Model

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Contacts:
        Rebecca Wetzel  (617) 873-2567
        NEARNET Marketing Manager

        Donna Lane      (617) 873-2559
        Director, Marketing Communications

LEXINGTON, MA, March 7, 1994 -- BBN Technology Services Inc., a subsidiary of Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. (BBN), has started an information revolution in the town of Lexington, Massachusetts. BBN's NEARNETSM Service has brought the Internet, the computer highway to the world, into Lexington's municipal offices, public schools, and public library via the town's institutional cable TV network. In addition to providing Internet access and support, BBN is training school and town personnel in hands-on Internet use, and is participating in a project to develop the Lexington Information Network (LINK).

According to William Spencer, Lexington's Information Network Director, "BBN is helping Lexington, the birthplace of the American Revolution, become the site of yet another revolution in communications within and beyond the community. Since the project began last year, we have experienced the benefits that extensive and accessible data networking bring to a municipality. So far these benefits include facilitating innovative community and educational programs and fostering interdisciplinary learning. And this is just the first volley."

John Rugo, Chief Operating Officer of BBN Technology Services Inc. said, "Lexington is off to a great start. We are excited about the town's ambitious goals to become a model for community networking, including connectivity, support, information and policies. The collaborative effort to develop the model will provide a working example and guidance for communities around the nation to take advantage of today's information revolution." Funding for NEARNET Service has been provided through the BBN Technology Services Inc. Development Fund.

The Town-wide Network Project Committee, chaired by Sandra Guryan, Director of Business and Finance for Lexington's public schools, meets regularly to ensure that the project achieves its goals and objectives. The committee includes representatives from Lexington's schools, town offices, library and cable advisory committee, as well as representatives from BBN and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Lexington-based MIT Lincoln Laboratory is providing a physical connection to the NEARNET Network, as well as contributing inspiration and technical assistance for the project. Cablevision Systems is providing the institutional cable network, and LANcity equipment is being used to allow data to pass over the broadband network.

BBN Technology Services Inc. is the leading provider of Internet access, integration, training and consulting services to organizations in the Northeast. BBN Technology Services parent company, Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. (NYSE:BBN), is a Cambridge-based leader in network technology with more than 25 years' experience in networking for business, education and government. BBN also develops and sells applications software; develops and builds sensor and surveillance systems; and provides contract research and development in the computer, communications, information, and physical sciences. For its fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, BBN had sales of $233 million.