Why Build a Regional Network?

Create a reliable and resilient, carrier-class fiber infrastructure for all districts in Region 10
A cost effective, future-proof, and scalable network capable of long-term growth - bandwidth is no longer an issue
Increased bandwidth provides the ESC and individual districts the opportunity to provide additional services directly to other districts over the consortium’s private circuits
Consortium buying power to layer optional services such as DDOS, firewall, web filtering, VoIP, etc - What else can we do?
Provide high-speed buildout to rural areas - all districts have equitable access
Provides opportunity for districts to partner with the ESC or other districts to share additional services directly over the consortium’s private circuits

Building a dedicated fiber network is expensive, however…

Texas State Matching funds from Classroom Connectivity Initiative
- $25 million state match - 10% of fiber construction costs (available for FY 18)
- E-rate Program chips in another 10% to equal the state match (available for FY 18)
- Consortium E-rate discount is 71%
- Consortium only pays 9% of fiber buildout costs
Allows most cost effective creation of the network for Region 10 districts and charters

Cost effective - leverage size of consortium to drive down costs
- Buying from Costco instead of a convenience store
Additional capabilities not generally available to individual district or charter
- Active DDOS Mitigation
- Direct connections to Amazon, Microsoft, Google, State testing providers and other statewide education networks
This is YOUR network - dedicated fiber - not shared
Reliable and resilient carrier class optical network with 10 Gig connections to each district
Cost savings per MB to ISD’s
Opens doors to future initiatives: wireless networks where students have Internet Access from home
Single Support point
Region 10, as the fiscal agent, takes care of all E-Rate responsibilities related to your network circuit