Integrated Technologies Committee 2004
IHETS Board Room
PRESENT: Fred Nay, Ball State University , Chair of the ITC, Bob Jefferson, Indiana State University, Abu Moniruzzaman, Ivy Tech, Pat Smoker, Purdue University , Bob Sorenson, Ivy Tech, Tom Steffes, Earlham College , Tim Fisher, Tim Ping IHETS staff.
Tim Ping opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Fisher summarized the circuits supported by the IHETS grant across all Institutions for the current year. He distributed a spreadsheet with summary level data including circuit type, circuit count, circuit cost and circuit support from IHETS.
Fisher began with an in depth explanation of the total number of circuits and answered questions as he continued. For an initial full DS3, IHETS support is $54,000 and each institution's cost is $54,000 to cover the total annual ITN circuit cost of $108,000. Incremental DS3's cost $48,000 annually and are not supported by IHETS grant funds. An initial full TI is $15,000 annually. IHETS provides $7800 in grant support and the institution pays $7200. Incremental T 1's cost $7200 annually from ITN and are not supported by IHETS grant funds. There are currently no 256k's supported by IHETS grant funds. There are 27 unmanaged leased lines at an annual cost of $6900 each. IHETS provides special one-time support in the amount of $733.33 for 16 of these circuits. Most of these are Ivytech circuits. The CES support level is different as well. These are the variations that exist right now and are in effect until the end of this fiscal year.
Ping added that the IHETS budget for subsidy is $1,145.000 and will likely remain the same FY 04/05. If for some reason we received an influx of appropriated dollars and more money was made available, that number could grow. We have not yet received any indication from the legislature this year that there would be any change in a downward sense. We should assume this as a starting point for our discussion.
Ping proposed that we discuss what we are trying to accomplish with the money that is available to member organizations and opened this proposal for discussion. Fisher shared that initially we had set aside $500,000 and this was gradually increased over time and we have been at the $1,145.000 for 2 years. This was accomplished to support institutions to move to the network.
Ping shared that bids for the ILight2 contract will be opened tomorrow afternoon on the dark fiber RFP and following the review process the contract is scheduled to be awarded on March 19 th . Once a contract for dark fiber has been awarded, the negotiations and the bidding process will take place for electronics. December 04 has been given as the date to go live.
Sorenson stated that Phase I was the extension of I-Light for Bloomington and Lafayette the 2nd was for infrastructure and the 3 rd was for last mile connectivity. Ping shared that he has the timetable of 12/04 for the infrastructure piece, and he understands that the concern for those participating in this discussion today is the last mile and what impact network cost savings can have on pricing. Fisher shared that a committee has been formed to look at pricing but that many of the variables are unknown at this point.
Nay asked the price of a full incremental DS3 and Ping responded that the cost is $4,000/mo or $48,000/yr. Abu asked if the cost of a TI without subsidy is $15,000/yr. Yes, that is correct. Abu stated that he understood how the subsidy is acquired but when I look at the cost of an unmanaged TI at any Ivy Tech site, we pay $575/mo. As you compare the market price of a TI being offered by IHETS, the difference is too high. He then asked what ITN is doing to bring the prices down, and stated that these prices are 3 years old.
Ping shared that he would be willing to sit down with anyone and discuss why ITN prices are what they are but asked that we stay focused at this meeting on IHETS grant support. Sorenson said that if that is the nub of the discussion then we are talking about a zero sum game and we are essentially a TI bound institution. And, as much as we are interested to move to a DS3 at some point in time, we can't do it now. The question then is, how much do we give up to put into DS3's for other people and then how is it distributed. Abu, in looking for any flexibility, asked if we were to move away from what we now have, would there be some way that we can recover some of the cost through another mechanism. Ping responded that IHETS would gladly carry concerns or issues that the higher education community had to the ITN steering committee.
Jefferson shared that ISU has a DS3 that shows on the list If it is increased between now and the end of the calendar year, it will be at our cost for the incremental DS3. We are a neutral party at this point.
Steffes reported that Earlham College has 3 Tl's and they are not looking to expand at this time.
Smoker stated that it takes 7.21 T'ls to make up the price difference for a DS3. We need to definitely get to the DS3 and in the meantime take any spare savings that we can find and put it towards DS3's. I don't see how we can steal from Tl's at this point.
Ping proposed that the group carry their "maintain the status quo" posture to one additional ITC Circuit Grant meeting. This will give those not able to be present today a final chance to contribute to the dialog and voice any concerns. The ITC members present and on the phone agreed.
The members present agreed to hold the next meeting at IHETS on January 29 th at 10:30 a.m.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
