More Fiber For Better Health

The Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network (RNHN), a consortium of rural hospitals and related health clinics in Nebraska, announced a pending transaction that will facilitate the deployment of a new $20M fiber optic medical network. Utilizing federal funding under the Rural Healthcare Pilot Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and funding by Zayo Group and Adesta, the RNHN will connect 9 primary care hospitals and dozens of affiliated clinics, creating one of the most advanced medical technology networks in Nebraska. The proposed 750 mile fiber network spans 12 counties in western Nebraska, and will connect to national research networks such as National Lambda Rail and Internet 2 in Denver, Colorado.

"In 2007, the FCC established the Rural Health Care Pilot Program," stated FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "The program makes $417 million in universal service funding available to support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas of the country where the need for telemedicine is most acute. These health care networks will enable robust telemedicine services and provide high-speed highways for electronic medical records, saving lives by improving health care in rural America. They are an important step toward realizing our national commitment to bring the benefits of robust broadband to every corner of our country. To help ensure the success of the projects in the Pilot Program, the Wireline Competition Bureau has also extended by one year - to June 30, 2011 - the deadline for projects to select a vendor. Many of the program participants have experienced delays due to coordination with potential American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding opportunities, or to ongoing negotiations with vendors for network deployment. The extension provides the additional time that participants need to select vendors and seek funding commitments. I am pleased that the FCC can provide this additional flexibility for the buildout of these critical health care networks."

“This fiber network will facilitate the deployment of advanced medical technologies, and vastly improve patient care and physician communication,” said Lisa Bewley, Chief Information Officer for Regional West Medical Center. Adesta, a local Nebraska company, hopes to break ground on network construction this summer. “This is a fantastic project,” said Bob Sommerfeld, President of Adesta, “and is a vital step forward for rural Nebraska. Adesta is honored to be selected to design and build the advanced fiber optic based network infrastructure so badly needed in our home state of Nebraska.”

Almost two years in the planning, the RNHN has utilized Fiberutilities Group, an Iowa based technology and management firm, to handle the planning, financing, operational and government coordination functions necessary to make the project a reality. “This network represents the power of people working together,” said Kent Van Metre, Vice President with Fiberutilities Group. “With tremendous support from the FCC, and by partnering with community-oriented organizations like Zayo and Adesta, the RNHN is poised to have a truly state-of-the-art, advanced healthcare network.”

“Zayo Bandwidth is thrilled to be a part of constructing the network that will enable communities in Western Nebraska access to advanced medical care,” stated Andy Sredojevic, Vice President Business & Network Development for Zayo Bandwidth. “We are also looking forward to significantly advancing the overall communication capabilities for businesses and residents within these communities.”

The final stages of federal approvals through the Universal Services Administration Corporation are expected yet this spring with construction commencing shortly thereafter. The network has a planned completion date of fall 2011.

About RNHN: The Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network, a not-for-profit consortium including: Box Butte General Hospital, Alliance; Chadron Community Hospital, Chadron Garden County Health Services, Oshkosh; Gordon Memorial Hospital, Gordon; Kimball Health Services, Kimball; Memorial Health Center, Sidney; Morrill County Community Hospital, Bridgeport; Perkins County Health Services, Grant; Regional West Medical Center, Scottsbluff. The RNHN’s mission is a Regional System of Care Provided Locally. Since 1996, RNHN members have achieved a unique collaborative effort in order to coordinate a unified healthcare system that serves all people in western Nebraska.

About Zayo Group: Based in Louisville, Colo., Zayo Group is a provider of Bandwidth Infrastructure and Network Neutral Colocation services. Zayo provides its services over a 20,000 route mile fiber network that spans 141 markets and 23 states. Zayo Group’s equity is privately held.

About Fiberutilities Group: Fiberutilities Group LLC, an Iowa based company, is a professional management, consulting and technology firm specializing in the development of privately owned networks. Fiberutilities Group plans, builds and operates networks utilizing a variety of communication technologies and platforms including fiber, wireless, traditional telco and emerging network architectures.

About Adesta: Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Adesta is a leader in providing innovative turnkey solutions for advanced communication networks and security systems for public and private customers. Adesta has deployed over two million fiber miles in more than 150 rural and metropolitan areas.

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