The ICN has released its Fiscal Year 2026 Performance Report, showcasing a year defined by financial growth, strategic cost reductions, and core network reliability.
Beyond delivering seamless connectivity, ICN continues its transition from a traditional bandwidth provider into a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for state, educational, public safety, and municipal clients.
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Exceeded Revenue Goals: Surpassed net new monthly recurring revenue targets by 37%, fueled by strong adoption of Zoom Voice, data transport, and outside plant services.
- $720,000+ Annual Savings: Modernized operations and optimized regulatory structures to lower costs for Iowa taxpayers.
- 100% Core Network Uptime: Exceeded the industry standard "five nines" benchmark, keeping critical public infrastructure connected without interruption.
- 95% Customer Satisfaction: Far outpaced the commercial telecom industry benchmark of 70%–75%.
Smarter Operations & Strategic Partnerships
ICN captured over $720,000 in annualized savings through two major modernization efforts:
- Decommissioning Legacy Voice Equipment: Retiring the legacy DMS-500 switch eliminated operational risk and maintenance costs for obsolete hardware. Long-distance voice traffic was transitioned to a modern platform through a public-private partnership with Aureon.
- USF Optimization: A retroactive regulatory review and restructuring of Universal Service Fund (USF) categorizations eliminated a $40,000 monthly expense, saving $480,000 annually.
Uninterrupted Uptime for Critical Services
The ICN core network achieved 100% uptime throughout FY 2026. This high-availability connectivity directly supports essential statewide operations, including:
- 911 Public Safety dispatch centers
- State courthouses and judicial facilities
- Iowa National Guard locations
- Rural healthcare clinics across Iowa
High Marks from Customers
ICN's commitment to customer service resulted in a 95% overall customer satisfaction rating:
| Focus Area | Approval Rating |
|---|---|
| Field Installations | 96.9% |
| Network Operations Center (NOC) Support | 93.0% |
| Installation Expectation Alignment | 92.0% |
Modernizing for the Future
To support future growth, ICN began migrating its core billing and operational systems to Cadebill, an integrated Business and Operations Support System (BSS/OSS). Moving away from legacy spreadsheets and disparate IT tools to a carrier-grade data architecture ensures streamlined internal operations and faster service delivery.
As ICN looks ahead, the focus remains on delivering secure, reliable connectivity statewide while upholding strong stewardship of taxpayer resources.
Read the Full Report: Fiscal Year 2026 Performance Report (4.2 MB) .pdf