Public-Private Partnerships

ICN’s managed services incorporates premium partnerships with the private sector.

Fiber Network Services

Managed Network Service 

Fiberutilities Group, an Iowa-based company, provides technical staff for the operation and maintenance of the Iowa Communications Network.

The managed network services include:

• Management systems
• On-site technicians to staff ICN’s Network Operations Center
• Field support staff located around the State

Lumen

Managed Voice Service

Collaboration with Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) provides ICN users with a state-of-the-art telecommunications system, bundled with the additional voice efficiency and productivity enhancements of unified communications.

LightEdge Solutions

LightEdge Solutions is an experienced and proven leader in data center, Enterprise IT cloud solutions, and network integration, providing businesses with reliable access to Fortune 100-level infrastructure that quickly adapts and scales to meet changing business requirements. LightEdge, which is owned by The Anschutz Corporation, was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.

Leased Fiber (Part III Sites)

By statute, the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC) is required to lease connections to schools, libraries, AEA’s, judicial, correctional services connections, and connections to state agencies that are paid with state funding. A connection is the physical connection from the Network to ICN’s authorized user location.

The state funded $35.5 million in installation costs for the connections to school, library, and AEA (Part III) sites as well as paying a monthly lease cost.

When Network construction plans were first implemented to connect K-12 schools, libraries, AEAs and state agencies, the legislature wanted the private telecommunications providers to have an opportunity to serve their local areas. Companies winning the leasing bids for schools, libraries and AEAs were also provided with funds to construct the required infrastructure.

ICN partners with the following private sector telecommunications companies to provided Part III leased connections. In total there are 287 part III sites leased in partnership with private sector vendors.

• Windstream
• G4S Technology LLC
• Regulated Companies
• Independent Telecommunications Companies
• Municipal Utilities
• Others

Bringing together the resources, expertise, and capabilities to address the needs for our customers and communities. 

Regents

Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and ICN provide emergency network failover for each other to geo-diverse national internet exchanges.

City of Des Moines

Shared fiber resources with the City of Des Moines and Polk County. Sharing of facilities to support Continuity of Operations & Continuity of Government (COOP/COG).

Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management

• Provide technical expertise to 911 Program Manager.
• Provide transport and delivery network for all 911 calls.
• Provide necessary network upgrades to support next advancements in 911 to include SIP and video calls.
• Design and installation of FirstNet failover to ensure 911 traffic is not interrupted.

Department of Transportation

ICN and DOT share fiber, equipment, buildings, and databases. Services support intelligent traffic systems and are part of the ongoing modernization of infrastructure for autonomous vehicles. 

Iowa State University

ARA Wireless Living Lab, Agricultural & Rural Communities: ICN has provided Iowa State University with expertise consultation, engineering, fiber connectivity, and ongoing support to build a network that is being used to provide powerful wireless broadband coverage for hundreds of square miles of rural areas in a 3-county test project. Read more about this project.