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We work together to ensure that our services are tailored to respond to the evolving needs of the communities we serve. As a shared services organization, our alliance with stakeholders has delivered proven results. We advance a cooperative community by forging successful collaborations among members, industry, municipalities and government. We also acknowledge the importance of working with our dedicated suppliers who provide outstanding products and services to our members.

Canada's National Research & Education Network

BCNET is one of 13 territorial or provincial partners that collectively form the Canadian National Research and Education Network (NREN). The NREN is an essential collective of infrastructure, tools, and people that bolsters Canadian leadership in research, education and innovation. CANARIE and its 13 provincial and territorial partners form Canada’s NREN. We connect Canada’s researchers, educators and innovators to each other and to data, technology and colleagues around the world.
Canada’s NREN connects to a global web of more than 100 NRENs around the world. Working together, we form the Global Research and Education Network, dedicated to the unique needs of research facilities and higher education institutions. In Canada, the NREN also connects teaching hospitals, libraries, museums, innovation centres, federal research labs, and in some provinces, K-12 schools.

 

  • NREN Partners

     

    ACORN-NL | Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks, Newfoundland and Labrador

    ACORN-NL is dedicated to the implementation and formalization of a regional advanced network in Newfoundland and Labrador that will link post-secondary institutions, their major research centres and the K-12 system.

    ACORN-NS | Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks, Nova Scotia

    ACORN-NS’s objectives are to refine, implement and maintain a resilient, secure, advanced research and education network architecture; reliably operate Nova Scotia’s advanced research and education network including the CANARIE GigaPoP; promote the value and innovation created by the advanced research and education network; and maintain a sustainable model for ACORN-NS.

    Aurora College

    Aurora College provides advanced-network services for the Northwest Territories.

    CANARIE

    CANARIE is the federal partner in Canada’s National Research and Education Network, providing interprovincial and international connectivity. Beyond the network, CANARIE funds and promotes reusable research software tools and national research data management initiatives to accelerate discovery, provides identity management services to the academic community, and offers advanced networking and cloud resources to boost commercialization in Canada’s technology sector. 

    Cybera

    Cybera is a not-for-profit technology-neutral organization responsible for driving Alberta’s economic growth through the use of digital technology. Its core role is to oversee the development and operations of Alberta’s cyberinfrastructure — the advanced system of networks and computers that keeps government, educational institutions, not-for-profits, and business incubators at the forefront of technological change.

    MRnet

    MRnet is Manitoba’s Regional Advanced Research and Education Network. MRnet provides a very-high-speed, fibre optic network linking its research and education members to the world’s R&E networks. The MRnet network supports research, education and advanced application development among Manitoba’s research, education and industry organizations.

    NB PEI Educational Computer Network (ECN)

    The New Brunswick - Prince Edward Island Educational Computer Network (ECN) provides a sustainable, economical, and reliable high-speed network platform to educational and research organizations throughout the region. It connects them to research and innovation networks across Canada and around the world. The ECN is a model of collaboration and shared services across this geographically, economically, and linguistically diverse region.

    ORION

    ORION is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering Ontario researchers, educators and innovators. The organization’s community includes more than two million users at over one hundred universities, colleges, hospitals and research institutions, as well as the majority of Ontario’s school boards. ORION enables ground-breaking discoveries and cutting-edge education through its network, and provides vital digital tools and expert support.

    Nunavut Arctic College

    Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) will represent Nunavut on the NREN and will work with partners to create a research and education network in Nunavut. NAC is a public agency of the Government of Nunavut and services the largest post-secondary service region in Canada. NAC’s mission is to strengthen the people and the communities of Nunavut by providing life-long learning opportunities for adult Nunavummiut by delivering high quality adult education programs developed with input from our partners throughout the Arctic and Canada, and by making the benefits of Inuit traditional knowledge and southern science more accessible.

    RISQ | Quebec Scientific Information Network

    As a not-for-profit organization, the Quebec Scientific Information Network (RISQ) is a private telecommunications network that has served the education sector in Quebec since 1989. RISQ’s network covers approximately 6,000 km and reaches about 750 000 students, teachers and staff. It provides members with shared resources and services, and also acts as an information, coordination and expertise forum.

    SRnet | Saskatchewan Research Network

    SRnet (Saskatchewan Research Network Inc.) is a not-for-profit research and education network, the Saskatchewan member of Canada’s advanced network alliance. SRnet provides dedicated high speed network (10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps) access to institutions and companies across Saskatchewan that use it for their research and education activities.

    Yukon College

    Yukon College provides a vital link between students and researchers in the Yukon and national and international education and research networks. The Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College facilitates education opportunities for communities, encourages collaboration with First Nations, and expands opportunities for northern innovation. Yukon College also enables Yukoners to share their diverse cultural and environmental research with the world.

Forging Partnerships

BCNET works in partnership with higher education and research institutions in British Columbia, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, CANARIE, partners in the National Research and Education Network, municipalities and the private sector to implement and support shared services initiatives. We remain focused on service needs and opportunities in the areas of network infrastructure, cybersecurity, education and technology, procurement and professional development and training.