Virtual Possibilities Network

Background

The Virtual Possibilities Network (VPnet) is an initiative fostered by Avista Corporation to provide regional higher educational institutions and partner organizations access to a fiber optic telecommunications network for projects that primarily focus on education, research and development, and incubation . As part of the sale of its former telecommunications subsidiary, Avista retained access rights to a dark fiber optic network for its future needs as well as for regional economic development. Avista is dedicating a portion of its access rights to the fiber optic network to VPnet.

Columbia Fiber Solutions, which now owns the former Avista fiber network, provides the final fiber links between the network and the physical location of participating member institutions or to their extended networks, as well as engineering, splicing and maintenance.

To extend VPnet beyond a core based on the existing fiber network, Avista has allocated use of private line services (OCx) that it leases from 360 Networks (formerly TouchAmerica). This gift extends VPnet to Seattle, Moscow-Pullman area, and other locations.

A core consortium of K-12, higher education, public and private sector organizations has been formed to work with Avista and Columbia Fiber Solutions to develop a network access program and to oversee the evaluation and selection of projects that are consistent with the stated economic development focus and the mission and goal of VPnet and that are designed to take advantage of the information transmission capability of the fiber infrastructure. This core group will be augmented by other institutions and organizations as the program expands. The list of founding members shows the breadth of intellectual resources that can now be focused on regional development needs as well as innovations in education and research.

Columbia Fiber Solutions and Avista have entered into an agreement that governs the use of this fiber. In the award of grants to use VPnet, Avista grants connection rights to the fiber optic network at no cost. Columbia Fiber Solutions provides fiber optic connectivity and maintains the network.

Member organizations provide governance of VPnet through a Board of Directors and committees as needed.

A comprehensive business plan has been developed for VPnet that encourages member participation by providing unrestricted production-level service to its members, which is affordable, sustainable, and will provide predictability in long-term cost containment and high levels of service and support.

VPnet has specific plans to grow the consortium membership within our region with additional education, private and public sector organizations.

VPnet operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation in the state of Washington. A Board of Directors, Executive Director, and several workgroups and committees govern the VPnet organization, ensuring that it maintains strategies, goals and objectives that are in alignment with the vision and mission of the organization.