What Is The I-NET?
As part of the cable license contract between the Town of Natick and RCN, RCN was required to install and maintain a fiber optic network that would connect all municipal buildings in the town. The contract also required RCN to install a high speed internet connection free of charge for a period of 10 years. The I-NET at it's physical layer is a single mode fiber optic network connecting all municipal buildings. All buildings on the I-NET have four single mode fiber optic strands with the exception of the Police/Fire building (144 strands) and the Natick High School (8 strands). The central hub of the I-NET is located at the Police/Fire Building located in downtown Natick. Hence the large number of fiber strands at that location.
What Services Are Provided By The I-NET?
• Town Wide Telephone and Voice Messaging Services
• Town and School Data Services (Internet, Email, School Curriculum Software, School Admistration and Student Scheduling Software, Remote Fire Stations computer aided dispatch system, etc..)
• Future Use - Live broadcasts to the community from any municipal location via the newly formed PEG (Public, Education and Government) access corporation
• Internal video broadcasts (ie. Distance Learning,etc..)
Will the Town of Natick save money by using the I-NET?
Yes, eventually. The return on investment for the aquisition cost of the fiber optic networking equipment is around five years. The improvements in voice and data services is immediate. By migrating all voice and data services to the I-NET the Town will reduce it's monthly reccuring charges. Prior to the implementation of the I-NET, the Town leased eleven (11) "point to point" T1 copper lines and three (3) 56K data circuits from the telephone company. By moving voice and data services onto the I-NET fiber optics system the Town will save approximately $30,000 a year.
Who was involved in coordinating and implementing the I-NET?
The successful completion of the I-NET project was a result of cooperation between the following boards, individuals and departments:
• Cable Advisory Board
• Information Systems Advisory Board
• School Curriculum Technology Department
• Information Technology Department
• Project Management Team (consultant)
• Selectman Jay Ball
Most noteworthy is the dedication of the Cable Advisory Board members for their persistence in negotiating with Cablevision/Media One/AT&T/Comcast/whoever buys them next and RCN.
Special Mention - Hank Szretter
• Chairman, Cable Advisory Board
• Member, Information System Advisory Board
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