February 16, 2012
Commission Meeting
The Commission gives notice to the public of its intended meeting on Wednesday, February 22, 2012.
February 15, 2012
ICN's Quarterly Federal Broadband Grant Update
Update
The ICN made significant progress during the fourth quarter of 2011. Most significantly, the remaining dense wave division multiplexing ring upgrades were completed, which means all six rings were activated. In order to complete these ring upgrades, switching equipment, routers, wave division multiplexing equipment and dense wave division multiplexing equipment purchased in the second quarter were deployed and installed. Also during this period, four contracted field installation technicians were added to the staff. These staff members have begun conducting installations of edge routers at end user sites.
At the end of the quarter, approximately 40 site installations had been completed. ICN’s engineering division has initiated the design work for 234 new fiber optic leases in the form of indefeasible right of use (IRUs) contracts. Several of these circuits have been delivered, and it is expected that the vast majority will be completed during calendar year 2012.
The program sub-recipient in Decorah posted request for proposals for construction of network engineered during the last quarter and is prepared to accept bids. The Meskwaki Nation sub-recipient completed engineering on its portion of the project and it is prepared to issue requests for proposals for construction.
As of December 31, 2011, the ICN has drawn down and committed $5.3 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. ICN expects to draw additional funds in the first quarter of 2012. Over the last three months, the ICN and its vendor partners have been extremely productive in reaching the milestones identified in the BTOP deployment project plan. The ICN is on schedule to meet the project completion date of June 30, 2013.
Background
In 2010, the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) was a recipient of a federal grant under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $16.2 million grant will be used to improve ICN infrastructure by increasing bandwidth with a 10Gbps (gigabytes per second) backbone that will reach all 99 counties in Iowa. This ‘middle-mile’ network advancement will also provide both improved and new Internet connectivity to education facilities, hospitals, libraries, public safety facilities, government offices, and other Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) throughout Iowa.
Through this grant opportunity, many customers will be able to connect to the ICN through a 1Gbps interface, providing for the opportunity of significant bandwidth availability. With this new backbone and customer aggregation along with new interface Ethernet switches, the quality of service enhancements can be made to enable VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) and other advanced technologies. Internet access will be improved with lower network overhead, which will improve throughput and user experiences. Finally, significant cost savings can be realized as some locations are converted from leased services directly to ICN services.
Possible Outages
For the coming quarter, the ICN will continue its customer migration to this new backbone upgrade. In addition, the conversion of several customer sites will be made to IRU connectivity. As we progress through the project plan, additional network changes are required. These changes may affect your organization and ICN connections for brief periods as we upgrade the network. Changes are done with as minimum impact to customers as possible. Network outages for these upgrades will most likely be scheduled to occur during nighttime hours. If you experience any disruption of service that was not previously notified by us or planned, please contact our Network Operations Center, 24 hours a day, at 800-572-3940, or icnservicedesk@iowa.gov.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Philip Groner, Manager of Business Services, at 515-725-4761, or phil.groner@iowa.gov.
February 3, 2012
The February issue of the ICN Insider is located at www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/press_room/newsletters/2012/Feb2012Newsletter.pdf.
In the February issue:
- Latest News on ICN's IP Video Platform
- ICN's Broadband Grant Quarterly Update
- Participation with STEM Advisory Council
- And Much More!
February 1, 2012
View ICN's FY 2011 Summary Snapshot booklet below. The booklet provides an overview of the ICN, and many interesting facts explaining how ICN benefits Iowans.
January 5, 2012
The January issue of the ICN Insider is located at www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/press_room/newsletters/2012/Jan2012Newsletter.pdf.
In the January issue:
- Caucus Night - The Nation Focused on Iowa
- Feedback Received for Critical Issue
- ICN Released its Fiscal Year 11 Annual Report
- Webinar Series for E-Rate 471 Forms
- And Much More!
November 28, 2011
ICN Releases Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report
The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) has released its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2011. The report outlines the state fiber-optic network’s activities for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
The report includes a recap of the many initiatives relating to the Network and highlights usage, including the increased need for bandwidth and access to high-speed Internet by ICN customers. ICN customers include K-12 schools, Regent universities, community colleges, private colleges, libraries, healthcare facilities, National Guard, and state and federal agencies.
ICN’s fiscal year 2011 annual report is located at www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/agency_reports.
The ICN, a State of Iowa agency, is the country’s premier fiber-optic Network, committed to continued enhancements of distance learning and providing Iowans with equal access to education, healthcare, and government through Internet, data, voice, and video conferencing services. For more information about the ICN visit www.icn.state.ia.us.
November 16, 2011
ICN's Request for Proposal Implementation Team to Meet Monday
Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission, Iowa Communications Network's (ICN) governing body, announces the next RFP (Request for Proposal) Implementation Team (RIT) meeting on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the State Library of Iowa, Ola Babcock Miller Building, 1112 East Grand Ave, Forrest Spalding Conference Room, 3rd Floor – Room 310, Des Moines, IA.
The meeting is open to the public and media.
To attend the meeting, please contact ICN's Executive Liaison, Jontell Harris at 515-725-1102, or 877-426-4692 toll free, or e-mail jontell.harris@iowa.gov. For more information regarding the RFP (Request for Proposal) Implementation Team, please visit www.icn.state.ia.us/ittc/RFPImplementationTeam.
Read Media Advisory
November 15, 2011
First Meeting Held to Discuss Critical ICN Legislation
The first meeting to discuss the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the sale or lease of the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) was held on Monday, November 14.
The Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (Commission), ICN’s governing body, conducted the first of many RFP Implementation Team (RIT) meetings to discuss the legislative language that was passed in House File 45 during the 2011 legislative session. The RIT team is tasked with providing advice regarding the specific definitions and assumptions for current unidentified aspects of the law.
For more information.
November 1, 2011
ICN Insider - November Issue
The November issue of the ICN Insider is located at www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/press_room/newsletters/2011/Nov2011ICNNewsletter.pdf.
In the November issue:
- ICN Holds Outreach Conference
- ITTC Submits Quarterly Status Report
- ICN’s Involvement with the World Food Prize
- And Much More!
October 27, 2011
Federal Broadband Grant Progress
ICN's federal broadband grant progress was included in the "Tenth Quarterly Status Report Update to Congress Regarding BTOP" published on September 27.
October 14, 2011
Iowa Communications Network Held Outreach Conference
The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) held its third IN TOTO conference on Thursday, October 13, at the Iowa Valley Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa.
The theme of the conference was The ‘Quiz’ Show, Quite Useful Information Zone, which was to highlight technologies being utilized with distance learning and broadband services, ranging from the gaming theory within education to the consequences of not having the high-speed Internet connectivity. With sufficient broadband (high-speed Internet), Iowans will have increased educational enhancements, improved technology opportunities, and increased economic development.
For additional information
September 28, 2011
The October issue of the ICN Insider is located at www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/press_room/newsletters/2011/Oct2011Newsletterr.pdf.
In the October issue:
- ICN Brings Back the IN TOTO Conference
- Requesting Comments for Proposed IP Video Rates
- Healthcare Facility Receives Top 25 Honor
- And Much More!
Join us for ICN's 2011 IN TOTO Conference in Marshalltown on Thursday, October 13. A full day of speakers, topics, and breakout sessions in an engaging, fun-filled environment is planned. To register for the conference visit www.icn.state.ia.us/intoto.
September 22, 2011
Requesting Comments for IP Video Rates
The Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC) is soliciting comments regarding the Iowa Communications Network's (ICN) proposed IP video rates for the October 19, 2011 commission meeting. If you have comments for the Commission regarding the proposed IP video rates, please send them to Philip Groner, Manager of Business Services, phil.groner@iowa.gov or Philip Groner, Iowa Communications Network, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 prior to 1:00 p.m., October 18, 2011.
Proposed IP video rates.
Register for ICN's IN TOTO Conference!
Registration Ends October 3!
As a representative of the public face of the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), you will want to plan to attend ICN's IN TOTO conference. Take advantage of a chance to learn more about the upcoming release of ICN's new IP video conferencing system, legislative topics, new project initiatives, and general awareness outreach. A full day of speakers, topics, and breakout sessions in an engaging, fun-filled environment is planned.
See our keynote presenter, who is an award-winning educator, speaker, consultant, and professional trainer known for her work in literacy, leadership, and global communications. Angela Maiers from Maiers Education Services is consistently energized, and is a recognized worldwide speaker greatly impacting leadership through not only the education field, but the international business community as well.
ICN’s 2011 IN TOTO Conference
Thursday, October 13
Iowa Valley Community College
Marshalltown, Iowa
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
2011 IN TOTO Breakout Sessions
What’s My Line? - Julie Johnson, ICN
Questioning your role? This collaborative discussion with ICN’s Video Administrator, will answer your questions relating to your responsibilities as scheduler to your local site contacts and end users. This session will highlight specific scheduling points, policies and procedures. Be sure to bring your ‘A’ game and topics to share, too!
Gaming to Learn - Leigh E. Zeitz, PH.D., University of Northern Iowa
Dr. Z explores how gaming is not a waste of time, but a guided process which directs the player/learner towards a desired goal. It is exactly the formula that can create a motivating learning environment for students. See examples of how we can use this in our schools.
The Match Game - Phil Groner, ICN Session repeated in the afternoon.
Matching your questions and filling-in-the-blanks with our answers regarding an overview of ICN’s progress in implementing an IP video solution. This session will discuss the goals of the transition and interoperability from MPEG video to IP video, the benefits users will notice, and will include a presentation of future video conferencing options.
Truth or Consequences - Joseph Cassis, ICN
Excitement! Thrills! Huge Prizes! See how you can win big from the federal grant award of $16.2 million provided by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. Don’t miss the fun and the facts or you may experience some consequences.
Survivor - Gwen Nagel, Iowa Department of Education
The Evolution of Distance Learning in Iowa. A summary of past, current and future distance learning applications in Iowa’s education classrooms.
Find the registration and conference information at www.icn.state.ia.us/intoto.
August 1, 2011
August/September ICN Insider
The August/September issue of the ICN Insider is located at www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/press_room/newsletters/index.html.
In the August/September issue:
- ICN Hosts Two-Day Federal Site Visit
- Changes Regarding House File 45
- Outreach Efforts: Iowa State Fair and IN TOTO
- Increasing Digital Literacy with DigitalLiteracy.gov
- And Much More!
July 27, 2011
Proposed Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012) Rates
The ITTC will be considering a proposal to make no change to the current Video rates during the September 15, 2011, commission meeting. If you have comments for the Commission regarding the position to maintain current rates, please send them to Philip Groner, Manager of Business Services, phil.groner@iowa.gov or Philip Groner, Iowa Communications Network, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.
The proposed rates to be considered by the ITTC are the same as the current rates posted at: http://www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/videorates/index.html.
IN TOTO Registration Now Available
Iowa Communications Network is pleased to announce that registration is now available for IN TOTO 2011, The ‘Quiz’ Show, Thursday, October 13, at Iowa Valley Community College in Marshalltown, IA. Over 100 participants are expected to attend this conference and information-sharing event, representing those who, directly and indirectly, create the ICN community.
We will be presenting the Scheduler of the Year award, while adding Video Technician of the Year. The award nomination forms, located on ICN’s web site, must be submitted by August 29.
Spread the word - register now for IN TOTO 2011 at www.icn.state.ia.us/intoto -- You won’t want to miss this event!
July 15, 2011
June 14, 2011
ICN Hosted Visit for Federal Broadband Officials
The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) hosted a two-day site visit for federal officials affiliated with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The visit's main focus was reviewing information relating to ICN's federal broadband grant received in July 2010 from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).
The visit scheduled for June 13 and June 14 centered on routine discussions relating to topics of transparency, compliance, community outreach, and project status.
For more information
June 1, 2011
June issue of the ICN Insider
In the June issue:
- ICN Continues to Make Progress with BTOP
- ICN Completes First Part of Customer Survey
- Teaching Between Neighboring Districts
- And Much More!
Located at: http://www.icn.state.ia.us/aboutus/press_room/newsletters/
2011/June_2011Newsletter.pdf
ICN 2011