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Your Digital Edition of 30 Years of the ICN has Arrived!
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Connecting Iowa soldiers with their Families at Home
In 2007, ICN and Freedom Calls connected Iowa families with active-duty personnel serving in Iraq. The reunions were provided at no cost to the family or solider. One of the many video sites located throughout the State hosted video reunions, which gave families the opportunity to reconnect, catch up on life events, and even commemorate special occasions.
Dick Bartlett worked closely with ICN staff and Captain Andy Ryan of the Iowa National Guard, deployed in Iraq, to bring the program to Iowans through the ICN. Andy, also an ICN employee, had the chance to participate in an Operation Hometown Link video conference with his family and said the experience was incredible.
Read about Operation Hometown Link.
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A Long History of Common Carrier Status
Since 2001, the ICN has participated in the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) program for E-rate and Rural Health Care. However, few may remember how our Common Carrier Status was granted and the meaning behind it.
An FCC ruling handed down in December 2000 granted the ICN common carrier status, qualifying us to be a USF provider for eligible authorized users. As a result, eligible schools and libraries that receive telecommunications services from the ICN could receive a discount for those services. Discount rates range from 20-90 percent depending on the economics and location of the school or library.
Over the years, ICN has saved Iowa's schools, libraries, hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers over $130 million.
Be sure to read the history: March/April 2001, Fiber Optic Lines. ⬇️
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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.
👉 Read how the Network has made an impact.
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Message from John Gillispie, ICN Executive Director, 2003 - 2010
One of our previous executive directors explains that our Network has been around for every major event for the last 30 years. John Gillispie who led the ICN from 2003-2010 describes, "During the pandemic the importance of communications accessibility was the conduit that kept economic and government activity operating. The ICN was there, as it has been for every major event for the last thirty years."
💻 Read John Gillispie's impact statement.
 Has the Network Impacted You?
Share your story with the ICN by emailing icn.info@iowa.gov.
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Our 30 Year Journey
Our journey goes back to 1993. Those first years were spent finalizing fiber installations and establishing our county points of presence to allow us to take the next step of connecting
K-12 schools and other customers. Today, we continue to meet the needs of our users, while providing a redundant and resilient broadband statewide infrastructure.
Learn more about our network: icn.iowa.gov/celebrating30
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