Video

Many video rooms throughout Iowa connect to the statewide Network using MPEG video and/or IP video equipment. ICN believes distance learning is essential for Iowans to compete nationally and globally, whether in education, health, safety, transportation or business. Our goal is to bring the best that video conferencing has to offer, at the best value. As we study this ever-changing industry landscape, have discussions with other leaders of video conferencing, and more importantly, listen to our authorized users’ needs, we have determined the best course is to incorporate H.323/Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), into ICN’s video conferencing platform. In Fiscal Year 2011, ICN produced a total of 125,952 video hours: 121,586 MPEG and 4,365 Internet Protocol. Sites are currently transitioning to IP video.

By law, (Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 751, 12.3(2)), the ITTC is required to provide written notice for ICN’s Video Rates. The ICN is the only provider of the two-way video services and making these rates public does not have an economic impact on the ICN’s business model. The other telecommunications services that ICN provides to Authorized Users are also available through other service providers. These rates are considered trade secrets in a competitive market and are not publically released because they are deemed to have economic value. Release of the information could provide a negative impact on ability of the Network to retain the level of revenues for sustainability.

The ITTC has approved several discounts for authorized use of video services. The following table shows the discounted rates established for each type of use. All rates are per hour per site.

ITTC Approved MPEG Video Rates - FY13 and FY14

(Net of State Provided Support)

 (Per Hour Per Site) 
Type of Use FY13FY14Code
Base Rate$60.16$60.16-
E-Rate Supported K-12 Schools and Public Libraries$15.80$15.80002
Non E-Rate Supported K-12 Schools and Public Libraries$7.60$7.60011
Post Secondary Community College$9.63$9.63008
Post Secondary Regents/Private University$9.63$9.63003
Other Training Use$13.77$13.77004-005
Administrative Use$25.11$25.11001
Federal and Telemedicine Use$60.16$60.16006-007-009

*USF Eligibility: All public and private K-12 schools and libraries are eligible for Universal Service Fund discounts. A state-level consortium minimizes filing requirements for individual schools. IP Video Rates - Current and Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012)

IP Video Rates - Current and Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012)

The Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC) has approved various IP video conferencing rate options, which includes unlimited, tiered, and hourly pricing models.

IP Video Rates - Current and Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012)

Frequently Asked Questions 2 - Video Service Project (VSP) Team - May 2012

Frequently Asked Questions 1 - Video Service Project (VSP) Team - July 2011

For pricing questions, contact an ICN Account Consultant by calling 877-426-4692 or e-mailing ICN.CSS@iowa.gov.

Use of ICN for Depositions

Attorneys have been using the ICN to take depositions for a number of years for criminal court cases. These depositions are scheduled by the officers of the court.  ICN was asked to clarify the authority for attorneys involved in civil suits to schedule and use the Network to take depositions.

The Judicial Branch is an authorized user of the ICN. As such, the following persons have access to all ICN services:

  • State and federal judges
  • Judiciary employees
  • Administrative law judges
  • Associate judges
  • Magistrates
  • Referees
  • Mediators
  • Participants

The use must be consistent with the written mission of the authorized user allowing access to the Network at its site. Since the collection of information via depositions is part of the civil court process, using the ICN for that purpose is appropriate.

Since payment for the deposition process in civil cases may be the responsibility of the plaintiff, the procedure for scheduling a deposition over the ICN is slightly different from the process used by other authorized users.

Listed below are links to documents that need to be completed for non-Judicial Branch sessions scheduled for taking a deposition. Please refer to the instructions on completing the necessary documents.

Non-Judicial Branch Sessions Documents
Court Ordered Deposition Billing Information Form
Court Order authorizing the deposition to be taken using the ICN
Court Order indicating fee payment responsibility for use of the ICN

To schedule a session, or for additional information regarding the forms, email icn.video@iowa.gov or call 877-426-4692 for assistance.