The exchange of information is the essence of organizations that act in the education sector, whether they are universities, schools, or research institutions; and among their actors, students, teachers, or researchers.

With the advent of Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Autonomous Vehicles and Quantum Computing; the way we approach educational and training processes has also undergone a substantial revolution, one that has changed the way we acquire and disseminate knowledge.

We call this revolution Education 4.0.

Educational establishments must integrate these new technologies to completely change the current educational paradigm. In the face of this, education organizations face challenges common to other types of businesses, such as rising operating and energy costs, or the need to optimize their physical space. 

Among the points to consider in this convergence of technologies in the educational area is that in addition to educational services, there is a link with the administrative areas, security of property and automation, among others with the theme of networks, due to the convergence of technology.

As a consequence of this revolution, several challenges are presented to IT managers:
-    How to provide quality connectivity throughout the perimeter of the educational center? 
-    What is the best networking solution to support current and future applications?
-    How to have a flexible solution that allows quick changes or with minimal operational impact?
-    Is it possible to have answers to complex questions related to environmental sustainability, space reduction and energy saving, having the need to offer more and more network resources?
-    How to provide more with less?

To meet these needs, and at the same time provide solutions that are aligned with the Education 4.0 model, it is important that these systems work in a convergent manner with the organization's technological infrastructure.

Fiber Optics in a new educational paradigm

Given the requirements of Education 4.0, traditional networks are highly stressed, as is the infrastructure that supports it, such as large amounts of equipment, dedicated technical rooms, and high energy consumption in operation and in air conditioning systems. 
This new reality demands solutions capable of meeting current and future educational challenges while offering a "green" alternative for a sustainable world.

In this context, Furukawa R&D has succeeded in driving the availability of more suitable solutions to support the challenges of Education 4.0, such as Laserway, which respond to hyperconnectivity demands in the classrooms of universities, colleges and schools.

As it requires supporting a significant flow of information, it uses a network topology based on single mode optical fiber with very high transmission rate. A combination of high technology, optical transmission and use of optical splitters allows a single fiber to serve dozens of network users, with total control. 

Laserway technology also eliminates the need for access and distribution network switches. This equipment has high energy consumption and requires special infrastructure and care. 

By eliminating the need for such equipment, it drastically reduces energy consumption, on average 40% and up to 70%, in the maintenance cost of switches, such as dedicated equipment, generators, UPS and air conditioning. 

With the elimination of network switches, technical rooms are no longer necessary and can be used for other purposes, such as classrooms, laboratories and study rooms, generating additional savings and efficient reuse of space.

Being single mode optical fibers, with a range of up to 20 kilometers, this technology offers significant advantages on large university campuses, allowing all network control to be carried out from a single location, regardless of distance.
Furthermore, all data traffic within Laserway is encrypted, and since it is based on optical networks, interception of data in the network medium is impossible. This protection of information is essential in advanced research scenarios.

All of the above has an important ecological component. As this solution uses 87% less plastic than traditional networks, Fiber Optics poses a significant reduction in the impact of infrastructure on the environment. 

This factor, together with the reduction of up to 70% in energy consumption and space savings of up to 89%, makes this connectivity technology friendly to the ecosystem.

The challenges of implementing a 4.0 educational model, where we even need to rethink the careers of the future, and how we will facilitate the learning of the new generations, imply the active implementation of the technologies that determine the Digital Transformation.

In other words, Education 4.0 is the engine of the next revolution.