Keystone Connect Network: Coatesville's Digital Development Plan - Connecting Coatesville to PennREN: The Pennsylvania Education and Research Network
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Source: Daisy Labs
Keystone Connect Network:
Coatesville’s Digital
Development Plan
Connecting Coatesville to PennREN:
The Pennsylvania Education and Research Network
Keystone Connect Network: Coatesville’s Digital Development Plan
Letter to Community Leaders ……………………………………… … p.3
Keystone Network ………................................................................. p.4
The Digital Divide ………………………………................................. p.5
Digital Infrastructure ……………………………………….................. p.6
Gap Analysis …………………………………………………………… p.11
Coatesville’s Future ……………………………................................. p.12
Cluster Development ………………………………………………...... p.14
Workforce Needs ………………………………………………............ p.16
KINBER Opportunities ……………………………………................... p.21
Implementation …………………………………………………………. p.24
Broadband E-Rates …………………………………........................... p.27
Acknowledgements …………………………………........................... p.29
2
Dear Community Leader,
The Coatesville Community Education Foundation (CCEF) is proposing a regional
broadband network to increase educational opportunities and generate business
growth. The proposed Keystone Connect Network: Coatesville’s Digital Develop-
ment Plan is critical to our region’s future economic growth. The backbone of this
plan is the Keystone Research and Education Network (PennREN), a next genera-
tion high speed internet network, which educational institutions can use to train their
students and businesses can leverage to create new products. To take advantage
of this network already lining the streets of downtown Coatesville the Education
Foundation proposes a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Research and
Development Park (STEM Research and Development Park) to house a business
incubator to accelerate the growth of new businesses and train the workforce of the
future.
Chester County is presented with a timely opportunity to take a bold step into the
future of business and education technology. Download the report from the Educa-
tional Foundation’s website and please contribute your thoughts to help shape a
successful future for Coatesville and the region.
Sincerely,
John L. Hall, Ph.D., V.P.,
Coatesville Community Education Foundation
www.coatesvillefoundation.org
3
Keystone Network
The Digital Promise
The Keystone Network Digital Devel-
opment Plan recognizes the major
potential impact of high speed broad-
band on the region’s economy and
the quality of community life. Broad
band has the ability to provide en-
hanced opportunities for skilled work- PennREN’s fiber optic pathway in green
force training and engineering educa- through Coatesville. Source: Google
tion. Within the context of a STEM
Research and Development Park
Chester County’s businesses, espe- Chester County
cially advanced manufacturing spin Chester County is home to the most promi-
outs, can accelerate their success nent high-tech financial, information technol-
through the utilization of the next ogy, aerospace, pharmaceutical, healthcare
generation high speed broadband in- management, and production software com-
ternet network panies in the United States; and they all de-
This proposed digital development pend on the high speed broadband network
plan is based on the unique routing and an IT savvy workforce for their business
of the Pennsylvania Research and success. This reality drives and sustains the
Education Network (PennREN), a current and future economic growth of the
Chester County, including Coatesville. The
new high speed optical fiber network,
Keystone Connect Network and its accom-
through the streets of the City of
panying STEM Research and Development
Coatesville by the Keystone Initiative
Park are central components of
for Network-based Education and
Coatesville’s digital development plan,
Research (KINBER), a statewide
which seeks to deliver 21st Century connec-
broadband organization .
tivity to the region.
4
The Digital Divide Research conducted by the Pew Foun-
dation indicates that current internet sub-
The digital divide exists for those that are scription levels across the U.S. averages
not fully linked to the internet and are ex- at about 70% and that the divide is
periencing a digital separation from the greater for specific demographic groups.
rest of the country and the world. At the national level government officials
Coatesville’s digital divide exists for basic and business leaders have voiced con-
as well as high speed internet services. cern that our nation’s high speed broad-
There are many Coatesville residents band networks have less penetration
who either lack access or have other bar- and are slower than those in other coun-
riers to broadband. When households tries. In the 21st Century this technologi-
are not connected to the internet access cal gap negatively impacts economic
to job finding, educational training, and growth nationally and locally.
healthcare information is difficult.
Source: The National Economic Council (June 2013)
5
STEM occupations and to provide new
Digital Infrastructure businesses the opportunity to grow.
Keystone Connect Network The plan will address specific gaps and
under-utilizations of the high growth
The Keystone Connect Network is part
broadband opportunities available to
of a full spectrum economic develop- Coatesville through PennREN and sug-
ment plan for Coatesville to attract busi- gest ways for Coatesville’s to develop a
nesses and serve residents. It can pro- data networking plan and to upgrade
vide education and research capabili- existing services.
ties to connect local companies and ed-
ucational intuitions to peers around the Keystone Initiative for Network-
world. Through PennREN the Keystone based Education and Research
Connect Network will provide up to a In 2010 the American Recovery and
100 Gigs of enhanced broadband ser- Reinvestment Act awarded $99.6 mil-
vices. Other Keystone Connect Net- lion to KINBER to build Pennsylvania’s
work programs developed in collabora- communication infrastructure, the
tion with local partners can also provide PennREN fiber optic system, that links
community-based internet access for education, healthcare and economic
residents, new pathways for direct development entities across the Com-
employment and advancement in monwealth of Pennsylvania.
Source: KINBER
6
PennREN
Completed in 2013 Pennsylvania Ed-
ucation Research and Education
Network’s (PennREN) is a 1,700 mile
fiber optic cable network with capaci-
ty of four 10 gbps channels running
through 39 Pennsylvania counties.
PennREN’s fiber optic network links
its member institutions; including
Penn State, Drexel, University of
Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania’s
community colleges and the State
System of Higher Education and ad-
vances their broadband educational ChescoNet’s Network Operations
Center is located at 455 Boot Road,
initiatives. The PennREN Network Downingtown PA 19335 at the Chester
Operations Center (NOC) is located County Intermediate Unit
at Indiana University of Pennsylva- Source: Google Maps
nia. Running through the common-
wealth the PennREN network runs
directly through Coatesville, entering Chesconet
from the east on Walnut Street, and
In 1999 the Chester County Intermedi-
then south along the South 8th Ave-
ate Unit (CCIU) established Chesconet
nue. Then west on Harmony, north
to provide improved connectivity and
on 5th Avenue to Lumber Street and competitive rates for Chester County
then further west on Lancaster Pike school districts, the Chester County
and Valley Road to Parkesburg and Government, the Chester County Li-
beyond. brary System, the Chester County Hos-
pital and Longwood Gardens.
Chesconet uses PennREN as their fiber
optic back bone. Chesconet continuous-
ly upgrades services and increases ca-
pacity for Chesconet. The system, which
started with T1 and Frame Relay, now
has an Ethernet on dedicated optical fi-
ber networks for its subscribers.
7
Comcast Broadband
Comcast is the primary provider of These costs are relatively expensive
commodity carrier for internet services and many City of Coatesville residents
in Coatesville. Comcast’s XFINITY pro- are unconnected to the internet. This is
vides high-speed internet services to evidenced by the 15 -25 people waiting
the public and businesses in in line teach morning o gain access to a
Coatesville. There are download computer at the Coatesville Library. In
speeds of up to 105 Mbps using XFINI- order to increase internet penetration
TY Internet for home subscribers. The in low income areas Comcast intro-
service includes a basic internet con- duced a $10-a-month Internet Essen-
nection for emails at a cost of $30 a tials Program in 2011. The Internet Es-
month for 12 months and 30 channels sentials Program provides 5 Mbps
of television and streaming video to ex- downloads and 1 Mbps upload speeds,
ternal devices for an additional $45 dol- which are enough for basic browsing.
lars a month.
Customers in 1,00,000’s (Blue), Penetration by percentage (Red)
Source: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
8
Coatesville Area School District
The Coatesville Area School District Chesconet's node or portal point for
(CASD) and the Coatesville Public Li- CASD is at the CCIU's Learning Cen-
brary, through the Chester County Li- ter located at 1635 E. Lincoln High-
brary System, are members of way. According to Chesconet there is
Chesconet, a KINBER broadband peer fiber optic cable going to CASD High
network. Chesconet administers the School campus and the other 9 build-
wide area network and network opera- ings spread through out the district.
tions center services for its subscribers, The Benner Building and the Gordon
buildings have broad band fiber optic
including the CASD, so all Chesconet
cable, but it is not activated for
subscribers are compliant with basic in-
broadband connectivity. but the fiber
ternet protocol standards. The network
cable connecting Benner and Gordon
administration by Chesconet allows Dis-
have the potential to be activated to
trict staff to concentrate on its local area
provide network traffic over to
networks and computer services for its
Chesconet’s Coatesvillle node.
end users.
Each Chesconet member pays only
for the broadband services it uses.
The annual fees collected from all
Chesconet members in 2012
was $1,160,308. Individual districts
and libraries receive E-rate reduction
grants for internet services based on
the number of children in their area
receiving free or reduced lunches. In
2012 the CASD received an E-Rate
reduction of 70% from the Federal
government which brought their inter-
net subscription rate to about
$40,000.
Coatesville’s population (Zip 19320)
Source: Movoto
9
Lincoln University
By accessing KINBER’s network as-
In 2013 Lincoln University, a historically sets, Lincoln University can broaden its
black university (HBUC), located in academic offerings and act as an eco-
southern Chester County, committed to nomic catalyst for the Coatesville com-
the opening of a satellite campus in munity. A relatively small amount of
Coatesville. Lincoln University has a financial capital focused on developing
high speed 1 Gigabit network on the broadband at Lincoln University’s
Main Campus, which connects to its Coatesville campus can support job
satellite campus in Coatesville by a du- training certification and more access
al 10 Mbps intranet broadband link. to advanced college degrees. Lincoln
This link provides telephone services University’s enhanced broadband ser-
and internet for the Coatesville campus. vices can also facilitate knowledge
Network connections with entities out- transfer to local industries and compa-
side the system are managed by the IT nies and support the incubation of new
Department on the Main Campus. businesses.
Coatesvile Site Plans (i.e. STEM Research and Development Center)
Source: Erdy McHenry Architecture , Philadelphia, PA
10Gap Analysis
A gap analysis of Coatesville’s broad-
band needs suggest that PennREN’s
high speed broadband could address the
following broadband issues:
Reduction of broadband costs to non-
profits by 25% to 50% while maintain- Creation of an academic and re-
ing the highest quality of broadband search network to support the pro-
service. posed STEM Research and Devel-
opment Park. Improved medical
Implementation of advanced manu-
services to the Coatesville commu-
facturing and health information train-
nity through tele-medicine pro-
ing programs through industry and
grams.
post-secondary collaborations.
Implementation of affordable wire-
Wireless broadband public safety net-
less broadband in the economical-
works to provide reliable real-time da-
ly diverse Coatesville.
ta communication to first responders.
Source: Internet 2 Network
11Coatesville’s Future Recently beginning in 2009 there has
been some revitalization in the city.
Chester County’s Vision
HOPE VI Home and Housing Trust
Chester County’s Comprehensive Policy Funds from the Chester County Depart-
Plan (CCCPP, 2009) suggests that revitali- ment of Community Development,
zation of Coatesville will be connected to Housing Authority of the County of
growth in the employment, housing and Chester, Federal Home Loan Bank
education sectors. The CCCPP forecasted (FHLB), JER Hudson, Wachovia have
that in the future Coatesville’s downtown rehabilitated apartments and stores in
area along Lincoln Highway will continue the downtown; and in the final phase,
to be surrounded by a “suburban land- over 80 homes at the Oak Street HUD
scape.” The CCCPP envisioned that the site are being built and sold for private
downtown Coatesville’s commercial and ownership.
industrial spaces could be made attractive
for business relocation through private and
public investments by the Chester County
Workforce Investment Board and the De-
partment of Economic and Community De-
velopment.
Urban Strategic Plan
The Coatesville Urban Strategic Plan
(CUSP, May 2014) published by urban
planners from the University of Pennsylva-
Source: Community Builders, Inc.
nia noted that some parts of the county
plans are being implemented.
Keystone Corridor
Transportation infrastructure improve-
ments to roads and the Coatesville
Amtrak Station were noted as other
major areas for development. In addi-
tion to the completion of the Amtrak
Train Station located at 3rd Street oth-
er stations on the Keystone Corridor
between Harrisburg and Philadelphia
revitalized for increased ridership.
12Planning for the Amtrak Station indicates
that 88% Coatesville’s workforce com-
mutes to locations outside the City of
Coatesville. The plan supported by Penn-
DOT, Amtrak, Chester County, the City of
Coatesville, the Coatesville Redevelop-
ment Authority, and the Chester County
Economic Development Council, sug-
gests that revitalization of the train sta-
tion will help to improve commuter travel
both to and from Coatesville. There have
been calls to build up to 45 thousand
square feet of commercial space with a
data center next to the train station and
make Coatesville “Chester County’s First Source: Plan the Keystone (2012)
Transit Office Campus.” Cultural Society hosts performances and
events for the community. The National
Culture Growth in Coatesville
Iron and Steel Heritage Museum located
The Coatesville Urban Strategic Plan on the former site of Lukens Steel Com-
(May 2014) points out that the panyhas secured the columns that
Coatesville Cultural Society and the formed the foundation of World Trade
Greystone Society are the predominate Center and were returned to Coatesville
cultural institutions located in downtown after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. When the
Coatesville . They are an important part Iron and Steel Museum is completed it
of its revitalization. The Coatesville hopes to draw thousands of visitors daily.
Source: Plan the Keystone (2012)
13Cluster Development
Science, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing
Engineering and Math (STEM)
Chester County’s manufacturing cluster
Research and Development Park
possesses the industry connections,
Regional economic cluster development business opportunities and a skilled
is the primary way of sustaining competi- workforce to grow; but access to higher
tiveness in a globalized economy. education research institutes can accel-
Through regional public-private synergies erate new business growth in advanced
Coatesville has the opportunity to en- manufacturing will keep it competitive
hance regional economic development far into the future. World class pro-
through the planning and building a cessing and manufacturing companies;
STEM Research and Development Park such as Arcelor -Mittal, Azern, Commu-
in Coatesville. The STEM Research and nications Test Design, AV Industries,
Development Park can help to secure the Schramm Drilling, Victory Brewing and
future of a world class competitive eco- Sikorsky Helicopters reside in the
nomic clusters in our region. Coatesville area. With KINBER re-
sources Coatesville can enhance its en-
The McKinsey Global Institute (2013) pre- trepreneurial position through economic
dicts that within 5 years there will be a cluster development and improve the
20%-30% reduction in research and de- economic competitiveness of the ad-
velopment costs as well as reduction in vanced manufacturing cluster in the re-
time to market. With increased access to
distant research data bases, customer in-
formation and new markets corporations
residing in Chester County can develop
new knowledge-based industries and
profit from a multinational strategy. Start-
up companies in the STEM Science and
Research Development Park can partici-
pate as independent production units in
world-wide advanced manufacturing net-
works locally and internationally through
PennREN.
Source: Penn State Material Research
Institute
14Leveraging PennREN New businesses can leverage PennREN
In order to remain competitive manufac- connectivity for the development of co-
turers need to increase access to con- innovation and product design strategies
sumer data, supplier resources; as well that use big data and cloud computing for
as designers to create new products. product development and delivery.
With PennREN companies will be able PennREN access will greatly reduce time
to focus on differentiating products to to market through the delivery of uniquely
meet specific customer needs. Mature designed and tested products to costum-
businesses in the advanced manufactur- ers using additive manufacturing. Without
ing and biotechnology/medical clusters access to large data sets, quick iteration
relocating in Coatesville will become and delivery of designed products through
more integrated with their business part- PennREN new businesses will be left be-
ners and customers to improve their hind as others mine big data, create prod-
products for delivery to the marketplace ucts and deliver them instantly to meet
worldwide. customized consumer needs.
“Game Changers” for the U.S. Economy
Source: McKinsey & Company (2013)
15Workforce Needs
Workforce Development and retirements. PennREN’s digital
The future economic growth of the Phil- connections can support training and
adelphia region is tied to the STEM and education of tomorrow’s skilled work-
IT training opportunities. A job futures force by providing access to post-
report by George Washington Universi- secondary institutions and research
ty’s Center on Education and the Work- centers. As education, healthcare, and
force indicates that by 2018 57% of the business increasingly depend on high-
jobs in Pennsylvania will require post- speed broadband networks for it is no
secondary education and that there is a longer sufficient for Coatesville’s con-
need to fill 1.8 million jobs in Pennsylva- nections to be limited to commercial
nia due to new jobs being created internet services.
Source: O*Net Online (2014)
16STEM Workforce Development Access to technology training will provide
opportunities to enhance the Information
The centerpiece of the project is the in-
Communication and Technology (ICT)
tegration of an advanced technology
skills of all community residents. The
manufacturing with innovative training
methodologies that will be developed in ETC will help grow ICT skills a diverse
collaboration with local business part- group of individuals, particularly workers
ners. The STEM Research and Devel- who need new credentials to be competi-
opment Park will house an Educational tive in the job market. The ETC’s cyber
Technology Center (ETC) and partner skill workshops and certifications will sup-
with CASD, CCIU, Lincoln University, port ICT skill training among workers who
Pennsylvania Technology College and need new credentials to be competitive in
Penn State to improve educational and the job market. Participation in the ETC’s
workforce training opportunities for early cyber- workforce training will have a posi-
college, technical college and under- tive impact on business development
graduate students seeking training or since it can provide opportunities for local
internships in advanced manufacturing. residents to obtain professional certifica-
The ETC program will focus on the edu- tions and remain competitive in the job
cation of technicians for the fields of ad- market. .
vanced manufacturing and information.
technology.
By partnering with post-secondary edu-
cational institutions the ETC will be able
to house classes taught by tehnical col-
lege and university faculty that will de-
liver new standardized and customized
curriculum targeted for industries in the
Philadelphia suburban region. In sup-
port of this academic initiative the ETC
will design and present educational pro-
grams in entrepreneurship, advanced
manufacturing, bio-medical research
and integrated computer systems that
address the needs of business.
Source: e-skills UK
17Innovative Training Tracks
Educational institutions will modernize The ETC opportunities can create
curriculum in design and process tech- internships in high demand occupa-
nologies, manufacturing and engineer- tions. The Park’s Educational Tech-
ing analysis, and digital manufactur- nology Center will support three
ing. Through articulation agreements tracks of educational training; high
between Penn State and its ETC part-
school pre-engineering and technical
ners there are opportunities to offer
certifications in advanced manufactur- training through the CCIU, college
ing integrated systems technology that technical training through Pennsylva-
lead to careers in industrial engineer- nia Technical College and a engi-
ing and in information technology. neering track through Penn State
Alignment of Comprehensive Career Pathways for students and adults
Source: Jobs for the Future
18Measurable Outcomes
Private businesses will be drawn to facilitated by broadband connectivity will
Coatesville’s STEM Research and De- build a sustainable industry training pro-
velopment Park because of its access grams, including engineering-based cap-
to technology, human capital, and ac- stone projects, to support regional economic
cess to technology transfers from uni- innovation clusters. Students can enter the
versities and the private sector. The field of advanced manufacturing at levels
STEM Research and Development corresponding to their training level. Like-
Park will have a positive impact on wise success in the pre-college or technical
business development since it can pro- college tracks will provide an entry point for
vide skilled workers for local industry. those who wish to enroll in an Associate De-
The industry-university interactions gree at a local community college or go on
to graduate from college.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Selected Economic Characteristics (2012)
19Keeping Pace in the 21st Century
The Center will increase the supply of
As the recent census data shows that in
the IT workforce by building a career
the near term the Philadelphia region will
pathways for skilled workers within the
have a faster rate of decline in IT jobs
chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, and
than the rest of the nation. The STEM
oil and gas industries; and generate
Research and Development Center can
new products in the region’s advanced
reverse this decline by engaging busi-
manufacturing, energy, health data,
nesses in its incubator and accelerator
and financial and aerospace clusters.
programs
20KINBER Opportunities
Locally, through the digital connections
supplied by PennREN the Keystone
Connect Network can help to provide
inexpensive and reliable internet ser-
vices for the whole community
Public Wireless Network
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)
can be implemented with widespread Internet2
hot spots very hundred feet to develop a
wireless infrastructure for Coatesville. KINBER provides its members the op-
This WLAN network will enable use in portunity to connect to the Internet2
through the Mid-Atlantic Gigapop for In-
multiple parts of the city. Public WLANs
ternet 2 (MAGPI) at the University of
can provide wireless internet access in
Pennsylvania.
Coatesville’s parks, train station, cafes,
libraries, proposed convention center, Through an agreement announced in
and health center. An advanced Wi-Fi July 2014 KINBER can provide ad-
wireless technology can also provide in- vanced network technologies for large-
ternet connections for small businesses scale networking tools, internet securi-
and home users at a competitive cost. It ty management, and extremely fast
can provide an alternative to digital sub- and high quality internet connections for
scriber lines (DSL) and cable modems scheduling live performances.
for homes and business broadband Through MAGPI connection KINBER
internet access and to provide connec- can connect Keystone Connect Net-
tivity for the last mile connection for work users with over 60,000 U.S. edu-
PennREN. cational, research, government, com-
munity colleges and universities, public
libraries, museums, and health care or-
ganizations. Artistic performances and
master classes being broadcast on high
speed internet; engagement in real-time
interactions between students at distant
can also be achieved.
21As part of their capstone project under-
graduate engineering students can use
the acceleration tools of visualization, an-
alytics and immersive technology to col-
laborate with data creators and down-
stream users across the lifecycle of prod-
ucts created by companies residing in
the STEM Research and Development
Park.
Business Opportunities
Potential new services that can be deliv-
University Connections ered at the STEM Science and Research
Development Park could provide oppor-
By accessing KINBER’s network as- tunities for collaborations for new busi-
sets, post-secondary institutions can ness start-ups. New businesses could
broaden their academic offerings and become more competitive through shar-
act as an economic catalyst for the ing data among researchers; high-speed
Coatesville community. Financial capi- access to large video and data archives;
tal focused on research development geospatial data for Pennsylvania (i.e.
and economic innovation can support aerial photographs, maps, and other geo-
job training certification, access to ad- spatial data); remote scientific instrumen-
vanced college degrees, and training tation (i.e. telescopes and high speed
for undergraduate engineering stu-
dents.
Enhanced broadband services can fa-
cilitate knowledge transfer to local in-
dustries and companies and support
the incubation of new businesses. The
industry-university interactions will facil-
itate broadband connectivity to build a
sustainable industry training and eco-
nomic innovation system.
22KINBER Stakeholders
Communities in Pennsylvania are band-
ing together to connect KINBER’s infor-
mation super highway. Lewisburg and
Lancaster, leading KINBER stakeholders,
are realizing the potential of KINBER to
fulfill the needs of their local economies.
Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster
General Hospital, County of Lancaster,
City of Lancaster, Lancaster School
District, Lancaster County Library Sys-
tem, Pennsylvania College of Art and
Design; Penn Manor School District;
Intermediate Unit 13; Harrisburg Area
Community College, Ware Center, and
Millersville University have also joined
together to bring KINBER to their com-
munity.
Lewisburg community leaders and
Bucknell University staff are devising a
plan to implement a next generation
broadband network to help businesses
and non-profits become part of the KIN-
BER Community. The plan will integrate
healthcare, medical research, educa-
tional, economic development, and im-
prove library and governmental ser-
vices. As part of its sustained broad-
band commitment Bucknell University
and its Small Business Development
Center have created an entrepreneurial
incubator program that is helping new
local businesses to succeed.
23Implementation
The Keystone Connect Network must
The Keystone Connect Network will be designed to achieve maximum inter-
provide a managed fiber attachment nal and external security allowing its
service, which includes the design, con- users access to only approved content
struction and implementation of broad- and applications.
band service to Coatesville, including
Scalability of the Keystone Connect
the following tasks:
Network is an important issue for
The development of an extensive growth and change without significant
network design process to engage redesign or change in fundamental net-
all stakeholders; including educa- work configuration.
tional institutions, the business com-
The Keystone Connect Network should
munity, non-profit organizations,
be designed to meet the needs of aca-
governmental departments and
demic networking. Service availability
agencies, and KINBER members.
should be based on the most cost ef-
Recovery mechanisms must be con- fective method.
sidered as part of the Keystone Con-
The Keystone Connect Network will
nect Network’s design process. The
provide continuous service to its users
system’s design needs to be simple
through reliable and robust networks.
and highly structured for effective
troubleshooting and repair. The design of the system should take
into account requirements of all layers
To achieve the desired interconnec-
of the network system, the potential for
tivity the Keystone Connect Net-
hardware and path failures through re-
work will maintain a set of minimum
dundancy of equipment and networks.
interoperability standards based on
KINBER membership agreements.
24Keystone Connect Operations Governance
The purpose of Keystone Connect Net-
To assist in the development of critical
work Plan is to the design a network infra-
pathways and remove barriers for mem-
structure; with high Quality of Service
ber institutions the Keystone Connect
(QoS) services, human resources, man- Network will establish an advisory board
agement policy to support regional eco- consisting of representation from Penn
nomic growth. Governance will provide State, other post secondary institutions,
the decision-making body for the sharing ChescoNet, KINBER, CASD, CCIU, and
of high speed networks and the hosting of Chester County Government.
broadband applications for advanced col-
laborative education and research. The advisory board’s goals will be to: 1)
achieve comprehensive and sustaina-
Cost reduction and ease of administrative ble implementation of the proposed net-
interconnectivity between members and work and the STEM Research and
outside institutional research and educa- Development Park 2) to form alliances
tional community will be core attribute of with state, regional and local industry
the system. Linkage to PennREN and and education communities; 3) to sup-
then to the Internet 2 through MAGPI will port professional practices; and 4) com-
require collaboration between local stake- municate outcomes with the public
holders, access to PennREN, the sharing and policymakers.
of KINBER’s applications and other net-
work resources.
Open Architecture
The Keystone Connect Network will have
an open architecture to allow full integra-
tion into the PennREN network. Using
web and grid services the proposed data
framework will allow for data back-up,
open access, interoperability, and data
movement. Basic protocols and interfac-
es for the use will allow members to ad-
dress authentication and authorization;
and data loading, mining, integration,
analysis and visualization.
25Phased Task Time Line
Phase Task Time Line: yr/m
1 Organize the Keystone Connect Net- 1/1
work Governing Body
2 Develop structure for technical and 1/3
programmatic committee
3 Define a simple and con- 1/4
sistent QoS policy
4 Provide support for guaranteed QoS 1/6
5 Design for full compatibility with 1/9
KINBER and other broadband ser-
vices
6 Design comprehensive physical 1/10
and logical topology and peering
7 Design a unified configura- 2/0
tion model
8 Establish link to PennREN 2/4
9 Establish data center and network op- 2/6
erations center
10 Connect with hospitals, libraries, uni- 3/0
versities through PennREN
11 Establish link to schools and commu- 3/1
nity colleges
12 Establish links to Keystone Connect 3/6
Network stakeholders
13 Establish link to Keystone Connect In- 3/9
cubator
26Broadband E-Rates
High Speed Internet FCC E-Rate Program
Federal Communication Commission
Authorized by Congress as part of the Tel-
website indicates that 100% of CASD’s
ecommunications Act of 1996 the E-rate
8,648 students have access to fiber
reduction program enhances access to
optic cable. This fiber optic cable con-
advanced telecommunications and infor-
nection through ChescoNet provides
mation services for all public and nonprofit
the District cabled intranet. During the
elementary and secondary schools and
last several years the CASD recently
libraries The E-rate program was formed
installed WiFi networks. The latest FCC
by the FCC in 1997 has helped to control
E-rate Modernization Order in June
rising internet costs for schools, which are
2014 will permit CASD use of the Wide
challenged to meet the need for more
Area Network (WAN)-Last Mile order to
bandwidth to connect teachers and stu-
scale student internet access to 10
dents to interactive learning.
Gigs per 1000 students and provide for
the E-rate reduction of connectivity When E-Rate reduction program was first
costs for the CASD of up to 70%. established in 1996 only 14 percent of
the nation's K-12 classrooms had access
to the Internet. Today almost every U.S.
school and library has internet access.
Now there is even more need than ever
for innovative digital learning technologies
to connect students, teachers and con-
sumers to jobs, life-long learning and in-
formation. These needs are creating in-
creasing demand for bandwidth in schools
and libraries, which results in greater
costs.
27CASD Internet Costs after E-Rate Reimbursment
350,000 100%
90%
300,000
80%
250,000
70%
60%
200,000
50%
150,000
40%
30%
100,000
20%
50,000
10%
0 0%
1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total Cost/Year E-Rate Percentage
Source: Universal Service Fund (2014)
CASD Internet Costs At the same time the E-rate discounts help
Since 1999 CASD’s E-rate discount per- the District to meet these cost increases for
centage has increased from 40% for a digital learning and on-line content. In
relatively small total cost of about 2014 CASD received an E-rate discount
$30,000 to 70%. As demands for con- equal to $543,301.44, which is 70% of its
nectivity increased and more services total annual internet costs of $923,612.45.
like telephone, record keeping, and tele- Exploration of E-rate Modernization pro-
phones were transferred to the intranet gram with CASD’s E-rate consultant may
costs increased exponentially. lead to significant savings.
.
28Acknowledgements
This digital planning project was inspired by the technologists and poli-
cy makers that have made a great resource available to the people of
Coatesville. Beyond the engineering feat that PennREN represents
and apart from my efforts, this project owes thanks to the many that
have encouraged me to engage with the challenge of breaking down
the digital divide. I would like to take this opportunity to express my
gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in initiation of the
Keystone Connect Network project in Coatesville. I owe great thanks
to Ray Creeley with whom I struck a sympatric cord regarding digital
disenfranchisement from the very beginning of our collaboration. All
along the way he has made his professional skills as a business exec-
utive available to help bring information technology opportunities to
Coatesville. I would also thank Ozzie Richards and Marion Bernard-
Amos of Lincoln University for engaging in a conversation about infor-
mation technology training for our youth. All the Board members of the
Coatesville Community Education Foundation; especially Bob Knecht,
Gail Pippin and Rev. Linwood Smith, have been most helpful leading
their support. Frances Sheehan of the Brandywine Health Foundation
and Mena Bedros of the Coatesville Youth Initiative have also shown
encouragement during the early stages of this project. Beginning re-
cently the guidance and support of Ken Barber of KINBER has been
instrumental in giving form and shape to this proposal. Though I have
benefited from his expertise for only a brief time the impact his profes-
sional guidance has been enormous. Without the encouragement of
these and many others this project would not have materialized. The
guidance and support received from all the above is vitally important
for the ongoing success of the project. And finally, but most important-
ly, I am eternally grateful to my wife, Jeannie, for her constant support
of this project.
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