No subject

providing a basic level of high-speed Internet access to all Kan-ed
members.  The Kan-ed statute clearly states that Kan-ed should be
assisting our members with internet access.  Kan-ed believes that the
lowest acceptable broadband level is a T-1 for our members.  This new
statewide network will allow this to become a reality.

Will I get a commercial broadband subsidy?

2008 will be the last year for a commercial broadband internet subsidy.
 Because Kan-ed will be able to provide you with a T-1 of private
network access w/optional internet access, Kan-ed will no longer need to
provide an internet subsidy.  Further, Kan-ed cannot provide
connectivity and also subsidy connectivity at the same time.  The
funding model will not work. 

So, Kan-ed is becoming an Internet Service Provider?

No.  Kan-ed is not becoming an internet service provider.  Kan-ed has
used a state RFP (request for procurement) process to contract for
optional internet service for our members.  AT&T will provide the
private network access and optional commercial internet access for our
members.  AT&T will work with 45 local providers across the State to get
you connected to the Kan-ed network.

What if I do not want to use the Kan-ed Internet connection, can I
still connect to Kan-ed?

If you do not wish to use the optional internet service, then Kan-ed
can still provide you with a router and T-1 connection to the private
Kan-ed network at no cost.  Some members use this model today to simply
connect dedicated video rooms to the Kan-ed network.

What if I need more Internet bandwidth or private network access for
video rooms or Internet?

Kan-ed will provide information on rates for additional bandwidth
requests.  Because the member is receiving a T-1 of internet and private
access to Kan-ed at no cost, we believe the cost for higher connectivity
levels will be very acceptable to the members.  Rates for higher
connectivity (such as 3mb, 6mb, 10mb, etc.) will not be available until
after the pilot program is completed.  Pricing will be on the Kan-ed
website at www.kan-ed.org sometime during the fall of 2008.  Members
will be notified when pricing is established.

What if I want to use my current internet provider to access the Kan-ed
network?

The only way to access the new private Kan-ed network will be by
utilizing a connection directly from the Kan-ed contracted provider
(AT&T).  AT&T will work with your local telecom provider to get you
connected to the Kan-ed network.  AT&T purchases a circuit from your
local telephone company to connect you to the Kan-ed network.  In most
cases, the local company will still manage and do maintenance on your
circuit, but it will be coordinated with AT&T.    

Kan-ed will establish service initiation procedures and give our
members more information on this after the completion of the pilot. 
Please note that you CAN continue to use your current provider for
Internet access, but must use the state contracted provider (AT&T) to
connect to the Kan-ed network.  This will ensure that we have a
standards based network and can offer advanced features, such as Quality
of Service for video applications.  Kan-ed will be working closely with
our members to ensure this process is not disruptive to your technology
environment and that we migrate you according to your timelines and
contracts.

Kan-ed and AT&T will be working with companies that feel they have a
technical exception to this connection methodology.

What if I already have a contract to connect to Kan-ed through my
current provider?

If your current provider is AT&T, you will be converted to the new
network when it goes live sometime in early 2009.  If you have another
provider, we will work with you and your provider to get you connected
to the new statewide network.  The older existing Kan-ed network will be
in place through July of 2009 to assist with migration of Kan-ed members
who are currently connected to the older Kan-ed network.  Kan-ed will be
working closely with our members and telecom companies to hold our
members harmless during the migration to the new network.  We will have
a team dedicated to making this a smooth process for our membership.

If I am a library, school district or hospital and apply for E-rate or
Rural Health program, how will that change?

During the service initiation process, Kan-ed will have you sign a
Letter of Agency (LOA) that allows us to file for e-rate on your behalf
for the free private network access with optional internet access (T-1),
router, and installation.  This will allow Kan-ed to cost allocate the
network and receive a 65% discount on the school and library connections
to the network.  The application process for hospitals is a little
different and we’ll work with hospitals to assist them.  If you still
wish to apply for your own e-rate, you can.  Kan-ed is simply offering
to do this for you for the private network access and optional internet
access.  If the Kan-ed member needs a higher level of private network
access to Kan-ed (such as 3mb or 6mb, etc.) or a higher level of
internet from the Kan-ed provider, then Kan-ed will work with the member
to determine if they should e-rate their connection directly or have
Kan-ed do it for the member.    

Again, if the member wishes to submit their own e-rate application for
the private internet access to Kan-ed (using AT&T) and the optional
internet access from AT&T through Kan-ed, the member can do that, as
well.  Kan-ed will need to work with you closely to give you the costs
for the circuit, installation and router.  If the Kan-ed member only
wishes to utilize the private connection to Kan-ed, then Kan-ed can
e-rate that for the member.  If the member chooses to purchase internet
access from another provider (not through Kan-ed), then the member will
need to submit their own e-rate application.   Kan-ed will be
establishing more e-rate resources to help our members and maximize
e-rate support.  We are currently evaluating placing a full-time e-rate
coordinator on staff.

When can I connect to the new network, or take advantage of optional
internet services from Kan-ed?

Kan-ed will run a pilot program with 15 institutions from August 1,
2008 through December 1, 2008.  Kan-ed will then develop a migration
plan for our members for the new network.  We will start the migration
process (using a service initiation ticket process) starting in January
of 2009.  Kan-ed will work very closely with our members to ensure that
migration to the new network will not interrupt or affect daily video
services.  For example, K-12 schools will most like be migrated during
the summer of 2009 while school is out of session.  Kan-ed will provide
a brochure to all our members in the summer of 2008 or fall of 2008
explaining all the benefits and the different “packages” of service
that will be offered on the Kan-ed network.

As you can see, Kan-ed will be making some major changes in the future.
 All of these changes are to enhance the benefits and connectivity that
we provide our members.  We look forward to working with our members to
ensure that they have access to high-speed commercial broadband
internet, access to a private network for high-quality secure video
conferencing, access to research and education databases, and access to
grant and funding programs.  More information will be presented to our
members as we move our network and members into the future….

Again, we urge you to contact your legislator to tell them how
important Kan-ed is to your institution.  You can find your legislator
here: 
http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/redistricting.do.

Sincerely,

Bradley S. Williams
Bradley S. Williams
Kan-ed Executive Director



Chrisy Madden
Membership Services Coordinator
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka KS  66612
785-296-2238
www.kan-ed.org