Frequently Asked Questions

Rural Health Care Pilot Project Implementation Update
October 20, 2009

Pilot Program Update for Hospitals, Clinics, and Mental Health Clinics

The IRHN is taking shape. Most of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program requirement for matching funds for network implementation has generously been provided by Governor Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly. With the $2 million provided by the State, we now have $16 million to work with, and we continue to seek the remaining million. Work is actively under way to deploy the high-speed network to connect 85 health care providers in rural Illinois. With the improved data speeds of at least 100Mbps, with one Gigabit to many locations, files that used to take hours to transmit will be sent or received in less than one minute, and in most cases just a few seconds. As a result, health care providers will be able to treat more patients, consult with specialists in virtual real time, and send and receive digital imaging expeditiously, by utilizing the IRHN's cost-effective bandwidth.

When will the IRHN be available for use?

We are now reviewing proposals from multiple vendors for fiber-based services, and will shortly seek additional proposals for last-mile connectivity and equipment. Within several months, a detailed schedule will be distributed to all hospitals and clinics, outlining the dates for local installation. Some locations will be able to join the network as early as next spring/summer, and most will be reached within a year from that time.

What if my current broadband contracts are about to expire?

In that health care providers will soon be able to start coming online for high-speed, cost-efficient data and Internet service with the IRHN, it is suggested that you avoid long-term contracts. If your contract for data and Internet services is due to expire soon, you may wish to enter into a one-year contract. Many companies will agree to multi-year contracts (to achieve a lower monthly cost), but will also agree that the contract can be terminated after one year (or 18 months) with no penalties.

How much will the IRHN cost for user locations?

Based on a recent survey by the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, most users of the IRHN will be asked to pay an amount similar to their current monthly cost for Data/Internet circuits, for a service level that far exceeds that which is currently being provided to them. For most locations, the monthly cost which currently pays for 1.5 to 4Mbps will, with the IRHN, result in a minimum of 100Mbps, for upstream as well as downstream service.

What happens next?

To keep everyone up to date, in addition to posting information on the IRHN web site www.illinoisruralhealthnet.org we will also establish an IRHN listserv in the near future, in order to provide updates on the progress of network implementation pro-actively to each of you on a regular basis.

After the FCC's Rural Health Care Pilot Project has been completed and the initial network has been constructed, the Illinois Rural HealthNet Consortium will continue to grow and develop, to address the needs of Illinois' rural health practitioners, to provide the means to use new applications, and to promote health and wellness throughout Illinois.

Here is a brief look at the Rural Health Care Pilot Project implementation timeline, showing key steps in the process:

Pilot Project Implementation Timeline:

  • In the Last Year
    • 501(c)(3) status approved
    • Two-thirds of matching funds received
    • $16 million for network development is now available
    • RFP issued for Network Deployment Process
    • RFP issued for Fiber-Based Network Services
  • Autumn, 2009
    • Develop contracts for Network Deployment Process and for Network Fiber Backbone
    • Issue RFP for Last Mile Network Services
  • Winter, 2009/10
    • Develop contracts for Last Mile Network Services
    • Issue RFP for Network Operation Center and Backbone Equipment
    • Issue RFP for Last Mile Equipment
    • Secure remaining match funding, raising total fund availability for IRHN implementation to $24 million
  • Spring, 2010
    • Develop contracts for Network Operation Center and Backbone Equipment
    • Develop contracts for Last Mile Equipment
    • Issue RFP for Network Maintenance
    • Begin testing of Network Fiber
    • Develop contract for Network Maintenance
    • Begin connection of health care providers to Network Fiber
    • Begin implementation of Last Mile Network Facilities
  • Summer, 2010
    • Implement Network Operations Center and Backbone Equipment
    • Continue connection of health care providers to Network Fiber
    • Continue implementation of Last Mile Network Services and Equipment
  • Autumn, 2010
    • Continue connection of health care providers to Network Fiber
    • Begin connection of health care providers to Last Mile Network
  • Winter, 2010/11
    • Complete connection of health care providers to Network Fiber
    • Continue connection of health care providers to Last Mile Network
  • Spring and Summer, 2011
    • Continue connection of health care providers to Last Mile Network
  • Autumn and Winter, 2011/12
    • Continue connection of health care providers to Last Mile Network
  • Spring through Autumn, 2012
    • Complete connection of health care providers to Last Mile Network
    • Network installation is completed

The IRHN thanks you for your patience. With the majority of matching funds in hand, we are now able to chart the course ahead and begin construction! If you should have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact:


Alan Kraus
IRHN Project Coordinator
815-753-8945
akraus@niu.edu