California Department of Parks and Recreation Explores the World With the Power of Verizon Business Private IP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - From the California desert to the tide pools on the coast, Internet protocol (IP) technology is allowing students and teachers to explore their state's vast natural resources.

With an eye to the environment, the California Department of Parks and Recreation is harnessing the power of advanced IP services under a three-year agreement for managed IP network services with Verizon Business.  The department is migrating 32 sites from a frame relay data network to Verizon Private IP, a network service based on multi protocol label switching (MPLS). 

The IP network will allow California State Parks to converge separate voice and data networks, increase capacity and provide new capabilities. The department is deploying video multicasting and video conferencing for educational programs and as an alternative to face-to-face meetings to help boost productivity, hold the line on business travel costs, and reduce the carbon emissions associated with business travel.

Private IP, Verizon Business' fastest-growing service, is an ideal platform for advanced voice applications. For instance, California State Parks is using IP to implement an educational program for students and teachers to use online tools to study state parks. Part of the curriculum includes a live video conference with a park ranger or viewing live video from distant locations such as the desert or tide pools or parks on the coast.

In addition, the department has been using IP networking services to monitor sewage treatment plants remotely.  

The fully managed network was awarded under the state's CALNET II communications program.

"The decision by California State Parks to implement IP services is already showing a real benefit to the people who live and work in the state,'' said Steve Young, Verizon business group president for corporate and government markets. "By blazing a trail to IP, California State Parks gains a reliable and efficient network that can help it further its environmental goals."

Alan Friedman, California State Parks chief information officer, said, "We're going to expand connectivity to places that we've never been able to touch before. At the same time, we're reducing costs, improving connectivity and helping reduce our carbon footprint while setting the foundation to roll out other services like VoIP in the future.  That's good for California -- our visitors, our employees and our partners.''

From the redwood forests to the southern coast, the California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 270 park units; employs about 2,500 people; and is responsible for nearly 1.4 million acres, including more than 280 miles of coastline, 625 miles of lake and river frontage, nearly 15,000 campsites, and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. An estimated 85 million people travel to California state parks each year.

A demonstration of the some of the high-definition video conferencing capabilities over the IP network is available at the Government Technology Conference (GTC) West May 14-16 in Sacramento. [An audio podcast on the California Parks and Recreation network initiative is available by linking to http://www.podtech.net/home/5139/california-state-parks-explore-the-world-of-ip.]

Verizon Business is one of the largest providers of advanced communications and information technology services around the world.  The company offers local-to-global network capabilities coupled with a broad range of telecommunications products and services - including advanced Internet protocol (IP) services, managed network services and systems integration - to all levels of government. With this broad portfolio of services, Verizon Business' government and education organization offers state and local agencies and institutions of primary and higher education one-stop shopping for their communications or connectivity needs. The company has built the next-generation services that are helping to transform the way government customers - and their constituents - do business.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global IP leader and network-based partner for delivering integrated communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large-business and government customers worldwide.  Combining unsurpassed reach with managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services capabilities, Verizon Business delivers global solutions that power innovation and enable its customers to do business better.  For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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