Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Internet2 Health Network Initiative (I2-HNI)?
The Internet2 Health Network Initiative is the Internet2 program that supports participants in the FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program (administered by USAC) and provides connections to the Internet2 Network.
What is the Internet2 Network?
The Internet2 Network is a high-speed fiber-optic-based network which interconnects more than 50,000 organizations involved in research, education, and healthcare. More information about the Internet2 Network may be found here: http://www.internet2.edu/network/
What are the benefits of connecting to the Internet2 Network?
The Internet2 Network provides higher-speed communication among its users, allowing more reliable use of video conferencing, quicker transfers of large data sets (e.g., medical images), and the potential to make use of advanced communications technologies such as the next generation Internet protocol, IPv6, which the United States federal government has mandated as their future network protocol. For more details on the benefits of participating in the Internet2 Health Network Initiative and connecting to the Internet2 network, visit https://spaces.at.internet2.edu/display/I2HNI/Benefits
How does a FCC RHCPP participant connect to the Internet2 Network?
Regional high-performance networking organizations (that are also members of Internet2) provide access to the Internet2 Network. These Internet2 Connectors can also provide RHCPP networks with their local access to the Internet2 Network. Connectors already provide access to the Internet2 Network for a wide variety of research and education institutions, including universities, museums, and K20 institutions. Connectors also have experience supporting applications that require high-performance networking.
Internet2 Connectors will work with RHCPP participants to develop a plan for establishing network connectivity between the RHCPP participant and the Connector, which in then provides connectivity to the Internet2 Network. In addition, there is a $25,000 fee paid to Internet2. 85% of this fee is reimbursable by FCC RHCPP funds.
For help identifying the Internet2 Connector in a particular regions, you may send email to to: network@internet2.edu). A list of Internet2 Connectors may be found here: http://www.internet2.edu/connectors .
What does the FCC RHCPP participant need to do in the USAC process to ensure Internet2 Network connectivity is approved for 85% reimbursement?
To ensure the FCC RHCPP (administered by USAC) covers 85% of the $25,000 Internet2 connection fee you must specify the requirement for Internet2 connectivity when listing the services in USAC Form 465.
Because Internet2 is a pre-approved provider, there is no need to provide separate justification (via Form 466a). However Internet2 is not specified, the connection fee required by Internet2 will not be reimbursed through the FCC RHCPP.
To implement the connection to Internet2 will work with RHCPP participants and Internet2 Connectors to establish network connectivity.
What does the $25,000 fee pay for?
This fee covers costs associated with the infrastructure and staff used to build, maintain, and improve the Internet2 Network. As with similar fees charged to other organizations connected to the network, these cover real incremental costs associated with RHCPP utilization. And while initial utilization may be low, we expect and anticipate that it will grow rapidly as the use of high-performance networking to cost-effectively enable access to unique resources and rich collaboration spreads among RHCPP participants
Are there any other fees are required to connect to the Internet2 Network?
The costs vary depending on the local circumstances. Typically fees include:
*telecommunications and membership charges related to accessing the local Internet2 Connector
- Internet2 RHCPP connection fee (this is an annual $25,000 fee for each RHCPP participant)
The FCC RHCPP may cover up to 85% of eligible fees. Internet2 can work with your organization and your local connector to identify the various connection options and their costs.
How does the Internet2 organization respond to the needs of the RHCPP participants?
Support for RHCPP participants is coordinated under the umbrella of the Internet2 Health Network Initiative. To become part of this initiative, please visit: http://www.internet2.edu/health/hni/ where information on activities, mailing lists, as well as other resources is found. We also welcome your e-mail of comments and questions concerning this initiative (send to: hni@internet2.edu ).
Is the Internet2 Network secure?
From a HIPAA Security Rule compliance perspective, RHCPP participants should consider their Internet2 connection as an additional connection to the commodity Internet. In terms of its security and privacy policies and operations, Internet2 operates as an open network interconnecting tens of millions of users. In addition to the normal safeguards required to insure the privacy and security of Protected Electronic Health Information accessed via the Internet, RHCPP participants may need to address additional security risk mitigation when taking advantage of Internet2's unique advanced services (e.g., high bandwidth, IP Multicast, IPv6, etc.).
For what applications can the Internet2 Network be used?
The Internet2 Network is specifically engineered to enable high-performance applications, incluing hi-fidelity videoconferencing, rapid transmission of large files or datasets.
The Internet2 Network may be used for any lawful purpose. Normally, all network traffic going to and from Internet2-connected networks automatically is routed through the Internet2 Network.
Have more questions?
Please contact us via e-mail at hni@internet2.edu.