Press Releases

ORION advances equitable access for the North

Toronto (February 10, 2022) ORION, Ontario’s research and education network, continues to focus on enhancing connections for Northern Ontario, as part of our commitment to improving the reliability, reach and operational capability of the ORION network. 

Our latest upgrades substantially improve network capacity for research, education and innovation in the North. They likewise support increased capacity for everyone connected to the ORION network. Upgrades to a core network span from York through Barrie to Sudbury using next-generation optical equipment has increased transport capability from six wavelengths of 100Gpbs each to forty wavelengths of 400Gpbs. This provides a 25-fold increase overall. 

ORION is committed to helping bridge the digital divide in the North through upgrades to our network. Ultimately supporting institutions to leverage digital infrastructure for increased collaborations and building research capacity in Northern Ontario, while improving access between the North and Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). The NREN connects Canada’s researchers, educators, and innovators to each other and to data, technology, and colleagues around the world. 

These upgrades were jointly funded and supported by CANARIE and ORION. They are part of ORION’s larger network investment strategy to support equitable access to research and education across the province. 

Quotes:

At ORION, we’re dedicated to supporting Ontario’s researchers, educators and innovators and recognize that Northern Ontario faces particular challenges. These core network upgrades are only the beginning for ORION’s continued commitment to provide equitable access across all of Ontario to help bridge the digital divide.

— Alfonso Licata, CEO and President, ORION

This investment benefits students and researchers in Ontario’s North by enabling a faster, more resilient, connection to Canada’s ultra-high-speed National Research and Education Network. We’re happy to build on our collaborations with ORION to connect Ontario’s research and education community to colleagues throughout Canada and around the world.

— Mark Wolff, Chief Technology Officer, CANARIE

About ORION:

ORION is a not-for-profit organization supporting Ontario’s progress with essential digital infrastructure. Since 2001, we’ve facilitated new discoveries by connecting research and education institutions, regions, and people across the province, enabling collaboration, learning, forging partnerships, and providing our community with the digital tools and expertise they need to make the world a better place. 

Read more about ORION at orion.on.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact info@orion.on.ca.