We are dedicated to providing fast internet, advanced security services, and expert tech support to Iowa’s educational communities.
Who We Serve:
Public and private K-12 schools
Area Education Agencies (AEAs)
Community colleges
Public and private colleges and universities
Public libraries
By the Numbers: Our Statewide Connections
The ICN connects students, teachers, and communities to global learning tools.
300+ schools, colleges, and library locations served across Iowa.
All 15 Iowa community colleges are directly connected to our network.
Partners with the top 150 cloud content and major network providers to ensure fast, reliable access.
Affordable High-Speed Internet for Iowa Schools
K-12 education users benefit from special funding programs run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Because the ICN is a registered "common carrier" provider, we are able to pass these major federal discounts directly to Iowa schools. This program significantly lowers the monthly cost of eligible high-speed internet and tech services for local school districts.
Education Highlights
We connect schools and universities across the state. The ICN allows students to easily access online courses and learning materials, making education more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Many Iowa schools choose the ICN for reliable voice (phone) services to connect their classrooms and offices. Here are two recent examples:
AGWSR School District: During the summer of 2022, a lightning strike knocked out local lines. ICN quickly set up a wireless phone system to restore vital service for the school secretary.
Grundy Center CSD: Before the school year started in 2023, the ICN converted over 90 phones to our secure digital phone (VoIP) system. We used the district's existing fiber lines to connect the elementary, middle, and high school buildings, and set up a wireless link for the main administration building.
We host the 800 tip line used to report school safety concerns for Iowa’s Safe+Sound initiative.
To help identify and support students in crisis, the Governor’s School Safety Bureau created the Safe+Sound Iowa program. Students, teachers, parents, and community members can safely and anonymously report concerns three ways:
The ICN is proud to support a groundbreaking wireless research project run by Iowa State University (ISU). This smart agriculture and rural broadband project spans Story, Boone, and Marshall counties. It connects research farms, local growers, and rural communities in central Iowa.
How ICN Helps: We provide high-capacity data wavelengths across our fiber network to support ISU’s connections. We linked the ISU Agronomy Farm directly to the Black Engineering Building, and connected Boone High School to an ICN core network hub.
These physical locations connect to a network of local towers. This creates a powerful wireless signal across all three counties.
Why It Matters: This project supports rural research, classroom education, and tech innovation. Local farmers will use this wireless network to test precision farming tools for both crops and livestock.
"We have used the Internet connection for over 20+ years and [ICN's] security service DDoS Mitigation for almost four years. This service is invaluable as learning online has become more prevalent."
A Cybersecurity Solution
Saving Time with ICN's Firewall Management System
Southwestern Community College's security team needed a firewall upgrade. By implementing ICN's solution, they optimized efficiency, reduced the time spent, and steam-lined their cybersecurity.
Nashua Plainfield's outdated landline system needed an upgrade to improve the VoIP system, simplify long-distance calls, enhance user-friendliness, and connect all three school buildings together.
