Unite Private Networks to Connect 65 Iowa Communities With Fiber Optic Connections

Unite Private Networks announced a long-term business relationship with the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) to help increase broadband access to communities in Iowa by enhancing a state-wide fiber-optic network.

UPN will connect at least 65 Iowa communities with fiber-optic infrastructure. The connections will enhance high-speed Internet access to over 170 end-user facilities located throughout the state. With the speed and reliability of fiber-optics, Iowans will see educational enhancements, improved technology opportunities, and increased economic development. The opportunity for UPN was made possible through Iowa Communications Network's (ICN) federal broadband grant received in July 2010 through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The project will enhance the ICN Network to a ten (10) Gbps (gigabytes per second) backbone that will reach all 99 counties in Iowa. The middle-mile network advancement will also provide one (1) Gbps of symmetrical Ethernet connectivity to education facilities, hospitals, libraries, public safety, workforce development, and other Community Anchor Institutions throughout the state. With ICN's overall project, almost 1,000 installations over the course of a two-year period will impact 450 new sites, over 560 direct locations, and indirectly enhance 3,081 locations.