ISC Networking & Telecommunications Services & Rates for FY 2015	Print Issue
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A number of ISC N&T rate changes will go into effect beginning July 1, 2014. These changes reflect broad discussion with the Network Planning Task Force (NPTF), a cross-campus team of technology and business staff that discusses strategies and issues surrounding planning and funding for PennNet, as well as within the context of Information Systems and Computing (ISC) strategic planning. For a summary of NPTF recommendations, please see: www.upenn.edu/computing/group/nptf/2013/10.21.pdf

For help determining which services you require, please see: www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/networking/ or call 6-6000. All ISC N&T FY’15 rates are available at: www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/networking/rates/

—Michael Palladino, Associate Vice President, Networking & Telecommunications, ISC

Highlights of FY’15 Changes

In consultation with the Network Planning Task Force, ISC has identified upgrades and additions to network services, as well as to the Central Infrastructure Bundle through which ISC provides numerous core networking, security and identity management services to the University community. A series of strategic efforts is allowing ISC to keep FY’15 rates low, while greatly enhancing network capacity, security and services and providing substantial value to our clients across the University.

In FY’15, major bandwidth enhancements to the campus network, including substantially increased connectivity to Internet2, will augment Penn’s capacity to support big data and computation-based collaborative research. Network enhancements will also provide authenticated wireless access for the rapidly growing “Internet of Things” (wireless devices with embedded sensors used for security, research, etc.) and improve the wireless “onboarding process” for campus visitors through enhancements/alternatives to AirPennNet-Guest. Additionally, membership in the eduroam consortium will now be available to the Penn community. Eduroam is a secure, world-wide roaming Internet access service that allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain free, instantaneous Internet connectivity when visiting other eduroam member organizations. To learn more and view a map of participating eduroam institutions, see: https://www.eduroam.us

These additions and enhancements to network services will result in a 2.25% ($130K) increase to the Central Service Fee, which funds the Central Infrastructure Bundle. ISC has also had to make minor rate increases for ACD and List services. There will be a minor increase in fees for email services; however, email base quota will increase from 1 GB to 2 GB. Starting on January 1, 2014, ISC will charge standard rates for supplemental storage of over 500 GB in Penn+Box. 

To offset these increased costs, ISC has reduced high-speed port charges. Starting in FY’15, 10/100/1000 Base-T ports will be charged at the same rate of $4.75/month, with expected client savings totaling $176K. PennNet Phone charges will remain the same for FY’15 and will continue to be substantially below rates for traditional phones. Telephony audits and conversions to PennNet Phone will continue to offer significant savings to the University community, including approximately $300K for FY’15.

For more information about ISC rates and what is included in the Central Infrastructure Bundle, see:
www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/networking/rates/data/csf.html

Infrastructure and Ports

Our Next Generation PennNet project continues to augment network capacity and to address the big data and collaboration needs of University researchers. Key enhancements for FY’15 include: a 100-fold increase in basic connectivity to Internet2 from 1 Gbps to 100 Gbps, as well as an increase in the campus backbone.

Activation fees apply to all port activations. See: www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/networking/rates/activation.html

*Limited availability. Ongoing monthly connectivity charges include a bandwidth surcharge to support increased costs associated with the campus backbone and external Internet. Additional installation fees may include fiber, additional optical components and contractor charges. Please contact ISC Network Operations at service-requests@isc.upenn.edu to discuss associated costs for specific network environments.                 

*This is an estimate for budgeting purposes. Monthly support costs include equipment capitalization, hardware and software maintenance and staff support.

Telephony

Please note: Traditional phone service, which is based on legacy infrastructure (lines, sets, voice mail), is being phased out and must be replaced by the end of FY’14. Traditional voice mail is no longer supported by the vendor, and starting in January 2014, features such as the message date and time stamp, may break. Traditional voice mail service will be shut off no later than June 30, 2014. Monthly fees for traditional Centrex lines will increase from $16.50 to $18.00/line and the cost of most legacy phone equipment will rise by at least 10% in FY’15.  

For the remainder of FY’14, ISC will continue to offer free conversions to PennNet Phone, as well as any necessary supplemental wire pulls, with savings totaling between $115-$500 in one-time charges per conversion. However, in FY’15, ISC will no longer be able to continue these subsidies. We encourage you to contact ISC as soon as possible at service-requests@isc.upenn.edu to take advantage of these substantial cost savings.

For a complete description of telephony services and rates, see: www.upenn.edu/computing/voice/

Call Center Services (ACD)

In FY’15, the “base” agent increases from $120 to $126 to support increased staff and vendor costs. See: www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/networking/rates/voice/acd.html

Email Services

Email base quota will increase from 1 GB to 2 GB in FY’15. To support this two-fold increase in storage and other operating expenses, monthly rates will increase from $4.00 to $4.50 for Zimbra and from $9.50 to $10.00 for Exchange. These increases will enable ISC to “break even” while enhancing this essential service. Monthly rates for forward-only service will remain the same at $1.00/account.

For a complete description of email services and rates, see: www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/networking/rates/data/email.html

Penn Video Productions

The Penn Video Productions (PVN) group offers full Coursera production, as well as a range of other professional video services for the Penn community. PVN provides concept development, pre-production planning and post-production services, including editing, storage and distribution, and supports video streaming through outlets such as iTunes U and YouTube. PVN can also broadcast course-related content to academic buildings and student residences through its on-campus cable television network.

Videoconferencing services and facilities are also available. Please call (215) 573-8583 for more information.

For a complete description of PVN rates and available services, see: www.upenn.edu/video/pvp/