About
About
OSHEAN, Inc. delivers carrier-class optical transport, advanced IP-based networking, and innovative cloud solutions to Community Anchor Institutions and their communities. OSHEAN creates trusted connections for peer-to-peer interactions that lead to more efficient, effective, and collaborative information technology environments. With an extensive member network consisting of leading healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, libraries, government agencies, and other community organizations, OSHEAN acts as a key strategic technology partner by facilitating member collaboration and providing best-in-class technology solutions and services that provide operational efficiencies and transform traditional enterprise operating models in support of its members' missions.
Since 1999
Our Mission
Rhode Island's Research & Education Network
A member-focused non-profit coalition
Regional, national & global collaboration
Founded in 1999, OSHEAN is a non-profit coalition of universities, K-12 schools, libraries, hospitals, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations dedicated to providing innovative Internet-based technology solutions for its member institutions and the communities they serve.
OSHEAN is an active member of the local and national technology communities, regularly contributing expertise and resources to a wide range of initiatives, from school enrichment activities to community forums on technology-related issues in the public interest. OSHEAN regularly pursues opportunities for local, regional and national collaboration and plays a leadership role in professional education for IT professionals and policy development in the information technology arena.
OSHEAN is dedicated to building, through the use of innovative practices, a communications infrastructure that will serve the needs of the region's K-12 schools, colleges and universities, state and federal government agencies, non-profit research organizations, workforce development initiatives, and economic development efforts. OSHEAN is also committed to creating an environment that encourages collaboration and learning through shared experiences and resources to continually develop expertise within its member organizations.
Since 1999
A shared network built over time
OSHEAN grew from a small Rhode Island consortium into a regional network and shared technology platform for Community Anchor Institutions.
1999
OSHEAN is founded
On August 20, founding representatives signed the original consortium agreement to aggregate demand and build shared telecommunications infrastructure. OSHEAN incorporated on December 28 and launched with one router, about 30 Mbps of Internet capacity, and support from a $100,000 Slater Technology Fund grant.
2001
Healthcare joins the consortium
Lifespan became OSHEAN's eleventh member, expanding the coalition beyond higher education and making healthcare a central part of the membership community.
2002
OSHEAN expands beyond Rhode Island
Wheaton College joined as the thirteenth member and OSHEAN's first member outside Rhode Island, beginning its broader regional role.
2005
Rhode Island state government joins
The Rhode Island Department of Administration joined the consortium, extending OSHEAN's shared infrastructure model into state government.
2010
Federal investment enables Beacon 2.0
OSHEAN received a $21.7 million federal infrastructure award. With about $10.7 million in private investment, the approximately $32 million Beacon 2.0 project was designed to connect Community Anchor Institutions across Rhode Island. A separate approximately $1.25 million award expanded public computer access through Rhode Island libraries.
2011
Beacon 2.0 construction begins
OSHEAN and Cox Business launched construction of the statewide fiber network. That year, OSHEAN and RINET also announced plans to combine their education and library technology communities.
2012
Beacon activates and RINET formally merges
CharterCARE Health System became the first Rhode Island healthcare organization to activate Beacon 2.0 service. On July 1, RINET legally merged into OSHEAN, broadening OSHEAN's direct role in serving schools and libraries.
2013
Beacon 2.0 becomes the statewide network foundation
Members began using the new high-capacity network as Beacon 2.0 grew into a shared foundation for education, healthcare, libraries, government, and other nonprofit organizations.
2021
Beacon enters its third technology generation
OSHEAN completed a Layer 2 architecture upgrade supporting 100 Gbps backbone connections, Segment Routing, and EVPN, establishing the foundation for the present third-generation network.
2024
OSHEAN celebrates 25 years and relocates
OSHEAN marked its twenty-fifth anniversary with the return of its Member Forum at Rhode Island College and relocated its headquarters to 301 Metro Center Boulevard in Warwick.
Today
A regional network and shared technology platform
OSHEAN operates the third-generation Beacon network using DWDM, Cisco NCS technology, Segment Routing, and EVPN, with 400 Gbps-capable wavelengths, regional peering, and cloud connectivity. OSHEAN is Rhode Island's nonprofit Research and Education Network, the Regional Network Connector for Internet2, and a founding member of the Northeast Research and Education Network.
Meet the Team
The executives, engineers, and board members behind OSHEAN.
FAQs
Common questions about membership, services, and the network.
Employment
Learn about careers and employment policies at OSHEAN.
Let's achieve your goals together
For more information or to explore how our services can benefit your organization, contact OSHEAN today.