Originator: College of Micronesia - FSM
Date:  September 27, 2000
Copyright:  COM - FSM
Writer:  Joe Saimon
Status:   Unabridged 

The College of Micronesia – FSM (COM-FSM) Information Technology Department (ITD) on September 1st, initiated the network of all COM – FSM campuses. This Wide Area Network (WAN) will involve the networking of the National Campus’ Local Area Network (LAN) to the other campuses.

Gordon Segal of the ITD said that one computer lab at the Pohnpei Campus was successfully connected into the network.

“They are currently making use of this connection and are working very hard to expand it to the rest of the building,” he said.

Gordon also confirmed that on September 21, the College Internet bandwidth has increased to 194kbps from 64kbps. 

“This means less time waiting… and better access to content on the Internet. Our previous connection speed was so low that at times, servers saw our connection as a ‘dead link’ and dropped us,” he said.

But the current speed we now enjoy may not last with the upgrade to 194kbps. 

As the WAN grows, we may start to experience the pace we had during the 64kbps bandwidth.

Gordon prompted that “it will seem very familiar.

“We are increasing our rate but we are also increasing our number of potential users. This has an off-setting effect but it will be better than it was and… is definitely better than any type of dial-up connection or no connectivity at all,” he said