The Midwest just got a major upgrade in public sector connectivity.
1623 Farnam, the leading edge interconnection hub in the region, has announced a powerful new partnership with the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) — the state’s public fiber backbone for government, education, healthcare and public safety. As of this month, ICN has officially joined Omaha IX, the premier Internet Exchange housed within 1623 Farnam’s carrier-neutral facility.
This is a game-changer for Iowa.
For years, ICN routed its internet traffic through distant exchanges in Chicago and Denver. Now, by peering closer to home in Omaha, ICN is unlocking faster, more reliable connections that directly benefit its users — from K-12 schools and higher education institutions to hospitals, public safety agencies and state government departments.
Why This Matters
By joining Omaha IX, ICN can now connect directly to the cloud and content providers that power modern digital services. That means:
- Lower latency for critical applications
- More resilient networks across Iowa
- Greater scalability for growing broadband needs
- Improved digital equity in both rural and urban communities
According to 1623 Farnam President and CEO Bill Severn, “Adding Iowa Communications Network to our growing ecosystem enhances both the reach and performance available to ICN’s public sector users throughout Iowa. Omaha IX’s central location means that ICN can now bring its services closer to cloud, content and hyperscale providers — ultimately benefiting students, healthcare professionals, government workers and public safety teams across the state.”
This milestone highlights the growing importance of regional IXs in building smarter internet infrastructure — and reaffirms Omaha’s central role as the Midwest’s most powerful interconnection point.
Read the full announcement here to explore how this partnership is helping transform connectivity across Iowa. Visit 1623 Farnam to learn how the company is bridging the Midwest through partnerships like these.
