Partnerships, Collaboration, and
Coordination:
Summaries of Plans and Strategies
Intelenet Commission: Networks and Internet and the Indiana State Backbone Project--Serving the Connectivity Needs of the Public Section. Draft. 8/27/98. Summary.
Contact: Jerry Sullivan, Executive Director, Intelenet Commission
MISSION
To provide cost-effective telecommunications networking and Information Technology services to Indiana's public sector and Educational communities
DESCRIPTION
The Intelenet Commission was created in 1986 to broadly serve the public sector's needs for networking and Information Technology (IT). It uses the aggregation of common networking and IT needs across the various public constituencies to leverage that demand for more cost-effective and equitable services for all users. In this regard, Intelenet's role as a telecommunications service broker has aided and facilitated the state's public institutions in furthering their agency missions through implementation of cost-effective integrated telecommunication solutions. Where these solutions have not been evidenced in the commercial marketplace, it has partnered with others in the public and private sector to deliver the service requirements. As it specifically relates to the state's higher education and K-12 educational community, the lack of a coordinated and integrated state network infrastructure has led this education consortium via the Intelenet Commission to take a collaborative and coordinating position deploying networking and IT resources to deliver needed services.
The state network, the Access Indiana State Backbone (AISB), is currently under deployment and has five nodes operational as of July 1st, 1998; four additional nodes are planned in 1998. The remaining nodes and backbone bandwidth will be deployed throughout 1999. It is envisioned that at least fifteen nodes positioned around the state will provide technical as well as economic access and equity to the educational community as well as to all the public sector members of the consortium.
Additionally, Intelenet is coordinating a
state level grant program that assists schools to connect to the
Internet. This is coordinated with the Indiana Department of Education
in conjunction with the state backbone network and its Internet
access resources. Intelenet also filed state-level applications
on behalf of schools and libraries utilizing the Internet network
services
in compliance with the FCC-directed Universal Service Fund (USF)
program and will coordinate the federal and state funding mechanisms
to ensure the most effective use of the scarce funding resources.
CURRENT/RECOMMENDED DIRECTIONS
Planning
Promote the efficacy of state and local-level strategic planning for advanced network services;
Promote the effectiveness of local planing and coordination for implementation and operation of those advanced network services;
Promote planning coordination at all levels for telecommunications needs for public sector agencies.
Connectivity
Promote connectivity standards for all affected agencies and groups;
Provide a managed and directed telecommunications system that delivers connectivity from the classroom "desktop to the cliffs of Dover";
Promote connectivity that is on-demand, on-line, on target to meet user needs;
Promote extending connectivity into the classroom and the desktop, including access to the Internet;
Provide local school corporations with grant opportunities to connect to the Internet through high speed managed connections;
Seek ways to connect Educational Service Centers, Vocational Centers and others to the Internet and high speed multipurpose networks;
Training
Promote effective network technical support training at all levels where the state's network resources are being utilized.
DELIVERABLES
In conjunction with the Department of Education, a Network Planning Guide for local schools and libraries;
Implement a high-speed state telecommunication backbone which is available to schools, libraries, and other public sector groups;
Coordinate the use of and application for Universal Service Fund discounts for public and nonpublic schools and libraries, including conducting workshops and focus sessions as appropriate;
In conjunction with the Department of Education and the Indiana State Library, recommend technical architectures for optimal use of current and planned networking applications and services;
Assist in development of a program in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Administration for legislative consideration that promotes wiring of classrooms throughout the state;
Coordinate the private/public partnerships and contractual agreements that pertain to telecommunications and public agency access and use of the state's shared telecommunications systems.