Unite Private Networks, LLC, (UPN) announces 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.

“UPN is pleased to be involved with this historic milestone connecting Iowans with the ICN to further develop their state-wide network. We are excited to be working with the entire ICN team on this unique endeavor,” said Rob Oyler UPN’s Chief Marketing Officer.

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.

The federal broadband program was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand access to broadband services in the United States. To find out additional information regarding the federal broadband initiative visit www2.ntia.doc.gov.

For more information about our fiber network or other cities we cater to, take a look at our fiber map.

About Unite Private Networks Unite Private Networks (UPN) provides high-bandwidth, fiber-based communications networks and related services to schools, governments, carriers, data centers, hospitals, and enterprise business customers throughout the United States. Service offerings include dark and lit fiber, private line, metro-optical Ethernet, Internet access, data center services, and other customized solutions. Headquartered in the Kansas City, MO metro area, UPN has been providing customer-focused communications solutions since 1999. For more information on UPN, please visit www.upnllc.com. A link to our video can be found @ www.upnllc.com/rob About Iowa Communications Network The Iowa Communications Network (ICN), a State of Iowa agency, operates a fiber-optic Network throughout Iowa consisting of over 8,500 owned and leased miles. ICN provides Iowans with equal access to education, healthcare, and government through Internet, data, voice (phone), and video conferencing services. For more information about the ICN visit www.icn.state.ia.us.