An announcement made by the White House to expand the nation’s broadband network will affect several Iowa communities as well as Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Iowa (UI).
Of the 66 new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act broadband projects across the nation, seven will take place in Iowa. A $16.2 million grant will upgrade the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), a 3,000-mile fiber optic telecommunications network that services Iowa schools, libraries, hospitals, and government agencies. ISU and UI use the ICN for outreach activities and online courses.
The other six Iowa projects include a $17.7 million grant for the Iowa Health System network and several grant/loans for local telephone companies.
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