Grow Smart

Unlimited access to the Internet? With the same fixed costs three years in a row? And no more anxious bandwidth meter-watching? What’s not to like about WiscNet’s plans for the future?

Almost every product or service your organization buys increases annually in cost, especially when you use it more. But WiscNet’s cost for network access is the one that won’t.

Regardless of how much Internet bandwidth you use this year, next year, and the next (yes, through 2010), your WiscNet network costs will stay fixed at this year’s cost. And the Board intends to continue providing a similar fixed-cost service model well past 2010.

We hope that this predictability will free you to focus on how to use our network to better enable your students, faculty, patrons, and all those who share our community to “grow smart.”

This is an exciting time for all of us within the WiscNet community. Our Board of Directors and our staff realize that helping you achieve your educational mission requires more than providing the highest-quality technology – it requires our commitment to growing network access, stimulating learning and helping you try new ideas.

We will share more details with you as our own ideas evolve in the weeks ahead, primarily through our website at http://www.wiscnet.net/growsmart/. In the meantime, please call with your questions or email davelois@wiscnet.net.

Grow Smart Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is this new fixed cost bandwidth available?
A: The changes go into effect starting July 1, 2008. That means that whatever you paid for network access this fiscal year (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008) is what you will pay during Fiscal Years 2008-09 and 2009-10 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010).

Q: What will my bill be next year if I increase my bandwidth between now and June 30, 2008?
A: Generally, we will surcharge your annual network access bill for the current fiscal year to charge for the increase in usage enabled by your increase in bandwidth (from the date of bandwidth increase through June 30, 2008.

After this fiscal year (which ends June 30, 2008), the Grow Smart policies kick in and your network access cost will remain constant, regardless of more use, until June 30, 2010. Yes, two more years!

The only exceptions are nuances related to members that utilize the E-Rate program whereby they already have their guaranteed quotes through June 30, 2010. So, they can Grow Smart with fixed cost regardless of use too!

Q: Does this mean I can have as big a connection to the internet as I want, and I won’t have to pay more?
A: No. It means that WiscNet will charge you the same amount regardless of how much bandwidth you use. However, your internet connection consists of two parts:

  1. Your data circuit (also known as Internet Transport). Generally WiscNet members purchase their data circuit from the BadgerNet Converged Network (BCN), AT&T, or some other telecommunications company.
  2. Your Internet Service (also known as Internet Transit or bandwidth). Your WiscNet Network Access Fees include this service.

You may need to purchase additional Internet Transport in order to meet your bandwidth needs. Please contact us for assistance with obtaining more Internet Transport at 608-265-6761, option 2, or support@wiscnet.net.

Grow Smart Policy

The WiscNet Board of Directors put the following policies in place:

*Move toward a fixed price model and, as a transition period, fees will be what was charged in FY08 (including the actual network fee and membership fee) with no more than a 2% increase per year for FY09 and FY10.
*The membership fee is decoupled from services. An organization can become a member of WiscNet without procuring any services, but to procure any services, the organization must be a WiscNet member.
*FY09 and FY10, every member pays a uniform $1,000 membership fee. For existing members, their FY08 membership fee and network access fees will be lumped together and that $1,000 of this amount will be their membership fee.
*New members will be charged a $1,000 membership fee, as approved above. For new members who want network access during the transition period, it was proposed that fees be calculated based on comparable institutions. The staff will try to find 3-4 comparable members (with close student ratios) and average their fees (minus the $1,000 membership fee) to determine what to charge the new member.
*For FY09 and FY10, members can elect a one year or two year E-Rate agreement.

After Grow Smart

WiscNet’s Grow Smart program makes this promise: No matter how much internet access you use this year, next year, and the following year (July 2008 through June 2010), your annual WiscNet fee will stay fixed at this year’s cost. The Grow Smart season, however, will pass all too quickly.

What will follow and replace this important transition for our members and our state education and research network?

To answer this question, the WiscNet Board of Directors makes this commitment to our members: “We will work with our members during the next 12 months to define and refine the business model that will sustain the Grow Smart program of affordable growth well mast 2010.”

Beyond Grow Smart - The Business Model Development Roadmap
The board will use the following schedule to develop the new business model.

FTC 2008: Beyond Grow Smart Panel Discussion
August 2008: Board of Directors’ Brainstorming Sessions investigating fixed rate business models.
Fall 2008: Board of Director’s Retreat – Boiling it down to one potential model
Winter 2008-09: Regional Meetings: Open discussion on the proposed new model and solicit feedback from you
Spring 09: Fine tune the new model based on the feedback
FTC 2009 (May 2009): Board of Directors debuts the new business model and solicits feedback from you
October 2009: Board of Directors Develops the July 2010-11 (FY11) budget utilizing the new model
December 2009: Board of Directors Vote on final FY11 budget
December 2009/January 2010: FY11 Rates Communicated to Membership