In 2000, fairgoers stopping by the ICN booth in the Technology Pavilion had a hands-on opportunity to compare the speed of an ICN Internet connection to that of a dial-up modem. 😮 Our Internet connection showed how schools and other users benefited from the increased speed.
Equipment the Size of 20 Full-Size Refrigerators Replaced with Carrier-Grade Lab
We recall the time when our equipment switch room included equipment the size of 20 full-size refrigerators. That equipment was called our MOD 70, and had been used to operate our voice/telephone switches since the 1990s. In 2016, we wrote about retiring that equipment in the May/June ICN Insider, which can be read below. ⬇️
When the legacy MOD 70 equipment was removed, the open space was put to good use when a carrier grade telecommunications lab was built in 2017. ➡️
The lab is a critical piece of operations for the security and protection of the ICN’s production environment. The focus of the lab is on enhancements to network stability, integration of new services, and research and development of emerging technologies.
Our lab was designed and built around the innovative telecommunications infrastructure standard for data centers, and has the electrical power, network connectivity, HVAC considerations, and rack space/shelving needed. ICN also took environmental factors into consideration, such as physical space, power, climate control, and structured cabling.
Impact Statements
One of the most important pieces of celebrating our anniversary is thanking our customers, partners, and others that have had an impact. ICN would not be successful without this support.
Our Commission Chairman, Steve Olson, explains that his perspective of the ICN has changed from his years as a legislator. Chairman Olson's term started in 2019, and his Chair role began in 2023.
"As a relatively new commission member of the ITTC, my perspective of the ICN has had a dramatic change from the 12 years I spent as a legislator. ICN touches the everyday lives of Iowans by serving the many levels of education, public safety, etc. An area of special interest to me is the impact on telemedicine and the healthcare industry. Healthcare is made available to many rural Iowans who would otherwise have to travel a great distance or not have care at all." Read his entire impact statement.
"More and more consumers are turning to online coursework, the ICN, Skype, and other types of distance learning to complete college-level coursework or obtain a degree." Read our snapshot article.
Iowa is increasing its focus on cloud computing and cybersecurity, which is changing how its state government network delivers services. Read more about cloud, cyber.
