SEATTLE, Wash. and BOISE, Idaho (June 20, 2022) – The Quilt, a consortium of regional Research and Education (R&E) Networks throughout the United States, today announced that the Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON) has become latest member organization to join The Quilt.
“We’re so pleased that IRON has elected to join our diverse membership,” said Jen Leasure, president and CEO of The Quilt. “The Quilt is a national community of innovators with a long track record of success as our members and affiliates collaborate to develop, deploy and operate advanced research and education (R&E) networks throughout the United States. We are looking forward to learning from IRON and their experiences as a new collaborator and contributor to The Quilt community.”
Headquartered in Boise, the Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON) provides significant opportunities for higher education, health care, state and local government, research facilities, and other nonprofits by providing reliable Internet access and high-speed infrastructure throughout the state. Established in 2007, IRON’s principle founders include: Boise State University, Brigham Young University – Idaho, Idaho Hospital Association, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho State University, State of Idaho, University of Idaho, and Washington State University. In 2015, IRON completed a state-wide upgrade to its network, which included new access points in Twin Falls on the College of Southern Idaho campus and at Idaho Falls connecting associate locations of a variety of universities and research facilities. By 2019, the network was fully upgraded to 100G statewide.
“IRON is proud to join The Quilt,” said Brent Stacey, IRON President and CEO. “The Quilt has proven to be a highly collaborative and professional organization enabling research and education across the country. Our missions are the same. IRON looks forward to contributing to and benefiting from our association with the Quilt Community.”
IRON, with its grassroots community-led members, is a not-for-profit corporation. Since its founding, its goal has been to provide high-speed and low-cost network access for higher education, research and healthcare institutions. Its mission, however, has always been to support Idaho’s unique challenges in crossing the digital divide. As a result of its success in the research and higher education fields, IRON is well positioned to provide network access to other nonprofits that are in need right now.
For a complete list of members and affiliates of The Quilt, visit this website. If you interested in becoming a member, please visit the Become a Member page online.
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About The Quilt
The Quilt is the national coalition of advanced regional networks for research and education, representing 36 networks across the country. Participants in The Quilt provide advanced network services and applications to more than 250 universities and thousands of other educational institutions throughout the United States. Visit www.thequilt.net and follow at Twitter @TweetTheQuilt.