Spring cleaning looks a little different when your to-do list includes industrial generators, HVAC systems, and LP fuel levels. At ICN, our dedicated facilities team and network field technicians don't wait for a change in season; they spend every day performing the essential, behind-the-scenes maintenance that keeps Iowa connected.
With 3,400 miles of owned fiber-optic cable and over 600 facility sites across the state, a network of this scale requires more than seasonal attention. We take a proactive, year-around approach to ensuring our infrastructure remains reliable and resilient for every Iowan we serve.
Generator Readiness
If the power goes out, the network can't go down. Our generators undergo weekly loaded testing. Our Network Operations Center (NOC) actively monitors every test to immediately detect any performance shifts. By tracking every service call and repair year-round, we maintain long-term reliability and utilize data-driven insights to build an accurate, proactive maintenance budget.
Field Technician Visits
Our Network Field Technicians visit over 600 sites annually to perform inspections. During the routine site visit, a technician might handle over a dozen different tasks, including:
- Safety & Security: Updating access keys, testing fire suppression systems, and ensuring emergency contact information is current.
- Climate Control: Inspecting HVAC units to maintain airflow and prevent hardware from overheating.
- Battery Backup: Performing conductance tests on backup batteries. If a battery shows signs of degradation, we replace it before it fails.
- Fuel Levels: Checking the fuel levels in LP tanks, making sure the tanks are level, and ensuring there are no leaks in any of the connection points.
- Network Equipment: Cleaning the rooms, equipment, and filters to ensure a clean and hazard-free environment on every site visit.
- Site Documentation: Taking photos of equipment and entry points. This helps us track our assets and plan for future upgrades to the network.
24/7 Monitoring
Beyond physical visits, our NOC monitors the temperature and humidity of our equipment rooms 24/7/365. If a room’s environment shifts outside of safe levels, an alarm alerts the team immediately, so repairs can be coordinated before the hardware is affected.
By staying ahead of repairs, we ensure that Iowa’s critical communications infrastructure remains stable, secure, and ready for whatever the season brings.