The Connecticut Education Network (CEN) is America's first statewide K-12 and higher education network to be built exclusively using state-of-the-art fiber optic connections.  Operating at speeds 1000 times faster than a home broadband connection, the CEN provides incredible access to the Internet, the next generation Internet2,  iCONN - Connecticut's re-search engine, and thousands of other resources exclusively targeted to students, teachers, researchers, and administrators in Connecticut's education institutions.  Every K-12 school district and higher education campus now has a fiber optic-based connection that enables students, educators, and staff to take advantage of multimedia learning resources, research tools, and online administrative activities.  Many public libraries are also connected to the network.

The Connecticut Education Network delivers optimum connectivity on a "one step ahead of demand" basis now and in the future.  Planning for the Connecticut Education Network began in July, 2000, and deployment successfully completed within the 5-year project plan.

The project is one of several initiatives resulting from Governor M. Jodi Rell's leadership in education, technology and workforce development. The State Department of Information Technology, in partnership with the University of Connecticut, provides project management, network architecture, and operational support for CEN projects.