Original Date: 04/07/1997
Revision Date: 04/14/2003

The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is a fiber optic based digital communication network capable of data transmission speeds of 54 megabit/second. Authorized users of this network are state and local governments, Federal Agencies, schools and universities, libraries, and hospitals. Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), the regional Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Weather Service have become fully authorized users, as well as the more than 50 armories in the state. The intended use of the ICN is the collaboration between organizations and information sharing.

RIA’s intended role in the ICN is to provide technical consulting and engineering services expertise to other members, and to more effectively manage the expansion of ICN into the eastern Iowa region. This has led to a community partnership, with RIA serving as the chair, consisting of Eastern Iowa Community College; City of Davenport, Iowa with its library association; Scott County, Iowa Courthouse; Federal Court System; General Services Administration; St. Ambrose University; and Utilities and Railroads.

By partnering in the planning and contributory funding of ICN, participating organizations have realized the following benefits: saved from $200K to $600K each in the network funding; accelerated the overall connection schedule; fostered a successful team spirit; and allowed for overall network connectivity for users.
Specific benefits to RIA include serving as a support conduit for reserve components; the ability to provide redundant access to major carriers such as the AT&T Regional Office; the opportunity for collaboration with local universities; and the opportunity to play a major ongoing role in the establishment of a powerful instrument for effective wide area community information sharing.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.