HADC Informational Resource - Fiber Optic / Broadband Task Force Results

A Fiber Optic Task Force was created to research broadband options. The intent of this project was to investigate fast, redundant, reliable, plentiful, internet connectivity as well as maximize buying power, reduce upfront costs and share best practices. The team met with six vendors and explored topics such as:

1. Planning for services they can provide for the larger and smaller businesses and approximate pricing.

2. Guidelines on where the line is between fiber services and non-fiber services.

3. Options for delivery of redundant services.

4. Plan for expansion as demands increase and additional farmland is converted to industrial/business land. This should include vision to ensure infrastructure is coordinated with other entities (i.e. City, WPPI, WE...).

5. Basic description of coverage area for WI and beyond. Some businesses have multiple locations outside of the Hartford / Milwaukee area that they may need connectivity.

Results / Benefits to Hartford Businesses:

1. Initially we had pretty much one broadband option in the Industrial Parks - AT&T. Because of our task force, we now have multiplied our selection choices by FOUR in securing these additional quality broadband vendors:

· Charter Business

· Paetec

· Netwurx

2. Significant, faster, more reliable bandwidth.

3. Scalable and redundant solution options.

4. Serious pricing advantages.

5. Variety of broadband platforms and a menu of combinations: Fiber Optic, Wireless, Copper, Microwave

Please help me to thank my fellow Task Force Members for helping with the process of vendor screening and discussions:

· Bill Jahn - Signicast

· Jeff Koski - API Healthcare

· Mike Castrova - Broan-NuTone

· Michael Kahle - SteelCraft / SnoWay / Hartford Finishing

· Dan Mueller - Quad/Graphics

· Jack Ewing - City of Hartford

· Razi Ahmed - HED (Hydro Electric Devices)

· Wayne Atkeson - Aurora Healthcare

· Nicholas Scherer - Mantz Automation

· James D Frankiewicz - American Exchanger

· Michelle Livingston - Triton Corporation

· Joe Dautermann - Mayor of Hartford

· Mark Dohnal - OnTech Solutions (specifically representing small businesses)

· Chad Benke - HUHS (Hartford Union High School)

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Hartford Area Businesses Comments

(from a couple that have already benefited from the new options):

SIGNICAST

Thanks to the research done Signicast has decided to use Charter Business to provide fiber data access to both our Hartford and Brown Deer facilities. Charter was chosen because they were able to provide their own fiber to Signicast in the time frame required by Signicast (July 1st, 2011). In addition Signicast will be increasing it bandwidth by 10 times at just a minimal monthly cost increase. Charter Business is able to supply Signicast with the services we need at a very competitive price.

William Jahn

VP of Automation and Information Systems

Signicast LLC

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API Healthcare

At the time I was informed of the Fiber Optic Initiative by Patrice Hoeschele, to my knowledge there really weren't any other viable options for fiber-based Voice and Data services other than AT&T.

Through the selection process done by the FOTF (Fiber Optic Task Force) we are in now the process of designing and finalizing a Voice and Data strategy that not only cuts our cost by over 30 percent, but provides us with considerably more bandwidth and a scalable solution for voice that eliminates limits on available phone connections.

Our vendor of choice, PAETEC, is providing their fiber to our building from the Hartford Central Office and is also working with Charter Business to potentially design a fully redundant, multi-carrier local fiber loop. We are also planning to use PAETEC to manage our internet services in the cloud. This includes e-mail security, firewall and Intrusion Detection and Prevention systems. Down the road, we are considering PAETEC's other service offerings for moving some of our data center functions and processing demands to their central data centers.

Jeff Koski
Sr. Director of IT

API Healthcare

Technology Provider Comments:

CHARTER BUSINESS

The first week in June, Charter Business began construction on expanding its fiber optic network to the Dodge Industrial Park in Hartford. Due to the efforts of the HADC and local businesses realizing the need of the community, the Hartford area will greatly benefit from expanded fiber optic facilities from Charter Business.

Businesses in Hartford that rely on Wide Area Network communication, very high speed internet, and phone service now have another provider to choose from in the Hartford. Charter Business owns and operates its own telecommunications network throughout 14 states across the country, on separate facilities than regional bell operating companies.

Whether it is a small business with several phone lines, fax and internet...or a medium/large business competing on a global scale, Charter Business is eager to work with the businesses and community of Hartford.

Greg Gates

Major Accounts Executive

Madison, WI

608-288-6809 office

608-443-9277 cell

866-603-3199 Fiber Support

NETWURX

Continuing its mission to offer reliable Internet service to the businesses in the Hartford Business Park, NetwurX is currently in the middle of construction on its most recent Internet network expansion project. We expect this project on the new water tower on the west side of Hartford to be fully operational by July1 2011. This new network asset allows NetwurX to offer dedicated internet services via microwave link ranging from 5Mbps to a whopping 200Mbps on secure and private circuits for a fraction of the cost of current land line alternatives.

Our microwave network is an excellent way of attaining cost effective quality internet service without the expensive upfront costs. Microwave circuits are also a great fit for those companies looking for redundancy for their land-based copper and fiber networks. NetwurX is a carrier neutral provider and we are able to help those who prefer not to be tied to one internet provider with our new NetAssure product. The City of Hartford has been using this product to make sure that their internet is up and running when they need it most.

If you are looking for better Internet performance, connectivity redundancy, off-site data back-up services, hosted PBX, or a PRI with Unlimited Voice, this expansion is what you've have been waiting for. Give Dave @ NetwurX a call at 800-638-9879, or e-mail dave@netwurx.net direct.

PAETEC

Currently underway to build a fiber route from the Hartford CO, west on 60, then north east into the park entering near Quad graphics and terminating at a fiber aggregation point built into the new Mantz addition. We anticipate completion of the build before Christmas.

The build will provide us rooftop access and line of site to provide high bandwidth IP service options using our Military Class Fixed Wireless services within a 10 mile radius of the business park. All services are IP based, which allows for services of Data Internet, MPLS, and Voice over IP via SIP.

All of the above rely on bandwidth- so our new options to business owners include the following bandwidths.

·       Fixed Wireless- Provides bandwidth options from 20mb - 2 Gig Ethernet over Copper- 3mb, 5mb, 10mb, 20mb, 40mb Fiber handoff- 10mb to Virtually unlimited bandwidth

·       And those seeking to move from POTs and PRIs into a true VOIP enabled service can utilize the 2010 IP Telephony's product of the year, Allworx. Allworx is a full SIP enabled phone system owned and manufactured by PAETEC. Both Polyfirst and Signicast currently enjoy the benefits of employing our Allworx phone systems.

·       We will also continue to provide basic business lines, PRIs, T-1, and multiple T-1 solutions as we do today for several businesses in the park.

Any additional questions, please contact Forrest Knueppel directly at 414-255-5011.