The ICN successfully migrated long-distance customers to a modern platform, decommissioning the legacy DMS500 switch. While many Iowans may not be aware, these massive switching systems are the reason long-distance calls through the years have not "dropped" when transitioning from a local network to a long-distance carrier.
Since early 2025, ICN has been working to retire the legacy system. This modernization effort simplifies our Network and provides a more reliable, future-ready foundation for Iowa’s critical communications.
Building on this foundation, ICN’s new public-private partnership with Aureon ensures the continued delivery of essential long-distance voice services to communities across Iowa. Now that customer migration has wrapped up in February 2026, the decommissioning stage is officially underway. Our facilities team is currently clearing out the equipment to make room for new service opportunities.
➡️ Visit our website for an in-depth look at this update, featuring:
What is the DMS500?
How Customers Benefit from a new Public-Private Partnership
ICN announces a full migration onto a new 100-Gigabit (100G) route to Denver, which enhances network stability. This project represents a significant leap forward in delivering faster, more reliable service.
The previous Denver path relied on a combination of four separate 10-Gigabit (4x10G) circuit connections from a previous vendor, running from Council Bluffs to the CoreSite Data Center in Denver. ICN decided to solicit bids for a more robust and modern replacement. The team explored 25G and 100G options and found that a single 100G connection was not only higher in capacity, but also just as cost-effective as maintaining the four separate 10G circuits.
ICN’s solution involved a strategic partnership with Uniti and Great Plains Communications, with a crucial step in Omaha, Nebraska. With the new partnerships, ICN established a new presence, or colocation instance, at the 1623 Farnam Data Center in Omaha. This presence gives ICN a direct link to the new 100G path to Denver and increased Midwest peering capacity, allowing ICN to connect with other telecommunications carriers and service providers.
ICN successfully completed equipment upgrades in Mason City, Hampton, Iowa Falls, Webster City, and Fort Dodge, providing a dedicated 10Gb connection at each of these key aggregation sites in Northern Iowa. This 10Gb upgrade in Iowa Falls and Webster City provides high-speed Internet for rural Iowa schools and ensures reliable connectivity for emergency services.
This upgrade provides a more dependable connection for the essential services our communities count on most, including hospitals, public safety telecommunications, and local schools. The new equipment allows Ethernet and IP services to travel over a redundant network.
Digital safety isn't just about spring cleaning anymore, it’s a daily habit. As we move through 2026, we are highlighting how much the "cyber arms race" has changed. Hackers are using AI to create hyper-realistic scams, including voice cloning and AI bots that can scan thousands of home networks in seconds.
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to stay safe. Strengthening your "digital armor" comes down to a few simple, high-impact habits.
Visit our website to read our password power checklist and why your personal habits protect Iowa’s critical infrastructure.
Debra was nominated by her peers for her exceptional communication and "team-first" attitude. She's proactive, always ensuring her colleagues have the right information at the right time. Whether she’s assisting a teammate or jumping in to help with tasks outside her typical duties, she's always ready to lend a hand.
 "A Diamond is Forever, but Malware is Too"Â
Feeling the love for online shopping? So are scammers! Watch out for "too-good-to-be-true" prices and those suspicious "delivery failed" messages. They aren’t helping you, they’re trying to infect your device with malware.
Verify the source, stay suspicious, and shop safe!
The conference center at Floyd Valley Healthcare was packed...The hospital hosted a “Lunch and Learn” program to introduce its new $2.5 million da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system to the community.
When winter weather hits, public safety doesn’t freeze. As Winter Storms Fern and Gianna moved through in January, FirstNet, Built with AT&T delivered the critical connectivity public safety and essential services rely on.
Iowa DOT has launched a new online scheduling and in-office queuing system designed to make accessing driver’s license and vehicle registration services faster, easier, and more consistent across the state.
ICN's News and Updates Bulletin is your monthly source for everything happening with Iowa's critical infrastructure. Subscribe here to get it delivered directly to your inbox and catch up on key infrastructure projects, new services and customer stories, and telecom and security updates.
