Institutional Networks

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Institutional Networks
What are they, How do they work, and How do they
relate to PEG Access?

• 2000 Alliance for Community Media
• Western Regional Conference
• Sacramento, CA
• October 28, 2000

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Julie Modlin Columbia Telecommunications
Corporation www.internetctc.com [phone]
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What is an I-Net?

• Data, video and voice network used by government,
  schools, and non-profit institutions
• May use fiber optic, coaxial cable, or common
  telephone wire

• Often provided by cable company, CAP, OVS, or
  phone carrier
• Provided in exchange for use of the public Right
  of Way

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I-Net User Groups
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What can an I-Net provide?

• Interconnection for multiple facilities
• Integrated data, video, and voice services
• Higher capacities at lower cost than leased
  services
• Typically over 100 Mbps potentially up to 9.6
  Gbps (Equivalent in capacity to 1,700 to 170,000
  phone lines)

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Emerging services require increasing bandwidth
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Why negotiate for an I-Net?

• Implement new and improved services such as
  interactive video, Intelligent Transportation
  Services (ITS), Global Information Systems (GIS)
  and other emerging applications
• Improve network reliability and security
• Replace costly leased telecommunications

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How is an I-Net related to PEG Access?

• An I-Net can
• Provide a high capacity video transport network
• Link multiple origination points
• Improve network reliability and security
• Facilitate new PEG applications and functions
  such as
• digital video streaming
• video-on-demand

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I-Net Models

• Coaxial cable network
• Hybrid fiber coax networks
• City of Santa Rosa, CA
• End-to-end service
• City of Pittsburgh, PA
• Dark fiber
• New York City
• City of Laredo, TX
• Mixture of approaches

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Case studySanta Rosa I-Net

• Hybrid fiber coaxial cable I-Net
• Broadband - 400 MHz in both directions
• Supporting video and cable modem data services

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Case studyPittsburgh I-Net

• I-Net service negotiated from ATT
• Fiber optic I-Net linking 26 facilities
• ATM service with interfaces such as DS-1, DS-3,
  OC-3, and NTSC video
• Fiber currently under construction

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Case studyNew York City I-Net

• Initial 1980s agreement with Time Warner and
  Cablevision for a coaxial cable I-Net
• Re-negotiation for dark fiber I-Net, from both
  cable operators and CAPs
• CTC engaged subcontractors for fiber builds and
  provision of transmission equipment. CTC
  coordinated design, implementation, and testing

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New York City I-Net Applications

• Interactive video
• Distance learning for public schools, community
  colleges, and universities
• Remote arraignment of prisoners at Rikers
• High-speed data
• Bridging of building networks
• Toll-quality telephony
• T1 and T3 connections replacing Bell Atlantic

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New York City Lessons Learned

• Network architecture must be flexible and
  scalable
• Needs of governments and schools will increase
  dramatically and unpredictably (video, Internet
  use)
• Control of fiber optics by franchising authority
  (dark fiber) allows I-Net to be upgraded without
  re-negotiation or rate hikes

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Case studyCity of Laredo I-Net

• Settlement agreement with Time Warner provided
  fiber optic cable and funding for equipment
• Telecom Study provided recommendations on design
  and equipment
• RFP for equipment and integration

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City of LaredoI-Net Design

• Single mode fiber cable from each site to the
  Civic Center
• ATM backbone with ATM and Fast Ethernet
  connections
• Virtual LANs to connect departments (i.e. Fire,
  Libraries, City)
• T1 video over Circuit Emulation

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City of LaredoI-Net Accomplishments

• Internet Access and E-Mail
• centralized access more cost effective allowing
  greater number of users to access the Internet
• Mainframe connections
• faster, more reliable connections to AS400
  applications
• eliminate leased line costs

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City of LaredoI-Net Accomplishments

• Bridge Department
• links between three International Bridges
• centralized Toll Collection System
• Customer Service Division
• new complaint tracking system
• links remote office
• Traffic Department
• video traffic surveillance cameras

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New Opportunities

• Multiple resource providers (cable, telephone,
  CAP, overbuilders, and others)
• High speed technologies

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I-Net Approach

• Understand your data, video, and voice needs and
  be open to alternative solutions
• equipment leasing / systems integration
• high-speed access to homes (cable modems)
• capacity on a video server
• capacity on a telephone switch
• Seek agreements with multiple operators (cable
  TV, telephone, CAP)

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Summary

• Municipal governments have unique and
• expensive needs
• Interconnect widely separated facilities to
  facilitate communications and reduce travel
• High reliability required for public safety
  related operations
• Expanded video functionality
• Increasing use of Internet access and centralized
  databases

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Summary

• An I-Net can provide
• Unparalleled capacity
• Security
• Wide range of possible services
• Maximum flexibility for upgrading
• Reduces or eliminates recurring telecom lease
  fees