38 / 58
wiredInUSA - August 2012
On 18
th
July, the Rural Nebraska Healthcare
Network (RNHN) held a ribbon cutting ceremony
at the Regional West Medical Center Tranquility
Garden in Scottsbluff, to mark the completion of
its new $18million fiber optic medical network,
which extends throughout the Nebraska region.
Construction of the 750-mile fiber optic network
began two years ago. It spans 12 western
Nebraska counties, and connects nine primary
care hospitals and dozens of affiliated health care
clinics in western Nebraska. In addition, it provides
connection to national research networks such
as National Lambda Rail and Internet 2 in Denver,
Colorado. The network will eventually enable
additional telecommunications products and
services that will help sustain it and further
advance underserved rural Nebraska communities.
The project was funded by the Rural Healthcare
Pilot Program of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), in conjunction with additional
funding from Zayo Group and the support of
Regional West Foundation, Fiberutilities Group
and G4S Technology LLC (formerly Adesta).
Medical
network
38