Development of Optical Network and iSpace in Vientiane (NuoL, NaFRI)

Optical network is a high-capacity telecommunication networks using optical technologies. Interactive Learning Space (iSpace) is intended to explore new possibility to support multimedia conferencing and communication between geographically distributed sites.

Objective of the project is to deploy a broadband city network and distance learning spaces in Vientiane.

Expected significances are

• To initiate the establishment of Lao National Research and Education Network (NREN) in Laos.
• To raise ICT awareness of Lao Society especially in academic, governmental and industrial sectors.
• To initiate idea for distant teaching and learning process to efficiently utilize the limited teaching staff.

The project is carried out as a joint collaboration between STEA, NUOL and KTH,where 2 of STEA staff came to KTH to attend the master program in internetworking. They are expect to do extensive research and study in Sweden for 7 months before go back for implementation in March 2005. At the same time, one NUOL's research will prepare the detail plan for the project. It is essential to have TSlab responsible for transferring know-how to STEA because TSlab has good experience in both networking and iSpace. TSLab has conducted many research in these areas i.e. www.balticopen.net, www.sol-ix.net, www.kistaip.net, www.stockholmopen.net, etc. In addition, TSlab will send 1 coach and 2 KTH students as part of the team to Laos for 6 weeks to support the implementation of the project.