iFiber Increases Speed with Core Modernization Project
iFiber has begun its Core Modernization Project after months of preparation. The upgrade process includes replacing core devices with a newer platform to provide higher speed capabilities across the iFiber network.

The project involves upgrading the broadband network’s core switching devices at five locations. The new equipment takes the network from its current backbone capabilities of 40Gbps expandable to 100Gbps, up to 100Gbps expandable to 200Gbps.

Two sites in Rockford and DeKalb were upgraded on June 17. The remaining three core upgrades are scheduled throughout this year, with the next core upgrade scheduled in Peru, IL.

Maintenance on the network is designed to be completed and tested during a six-hour overnight maintenance window. As is standard procedure for iFiber, Northern Illinois Monitoring Center (NIMC) will provide advance notice to those impacted by the core upgrades.
Ottawa Senior Living Community Enjoys High-Speed Broadband
JUNE 2020 - iFiber continually works with its Service Provider Partners throughout the region to expand access to the benefits of high-speed broadband. The recent opening of Anthony Place in Ottawa is a great example.

iFiber’s partnership on this project with Surf Broadband Solutions allows residents access to reliable high-speed Internet at an affordable price. This allows residents to easily enjoy streaming, email, and connecting with family and friends, more important than ever in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured here are Adam Fifer with the construction crew, and Corey Nelson, Surf's project manager.

Anthony Place is a 56-unit, four-story Senior Living Community for adults ages 55 and older. Surf Broadband Solutions, with the support of iFiber, is providing the apartment building with affordable fiber, TV, and telephone services. Anthony Place opened to residents on June 1, 2020. It is located at 727 Clinton St., Ottawa, IL. More information about Surf Broadband Solutions (part of Surf Air Wireless) is available on iFiber’s website: https://ifiber.org/service-providers/ .
Jo Daviess County Sees Annual Savings with iFiber
GALENA, IL - Jo Daviess County has realized significant annual cost-savings and efficiencies since joining the iFiber Network in 2013.

“The County has saved about $24,000 annually in phone service costs by switching from POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service through an iFiber partner and utilizing iFiber as the transport service,” said Joe Kratcha, the county government’s IT/GIS Director (pictured here).

Jo Daviess County, in northwest Illinois, originally joined iFiber for email, Internet, and high-speed connectivity between county facilities. It also uses the network for video/audio conferencing, online training, server consolidation, disaster recovery, and GIS online mapping. In 2018, VoIP services were added. VoIP is technology for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet. 
E-Rate Resources
E-Rate is a program of USAC that gives funding to schools and libraries through an open bidding process. USAC, or the Universal Services Administrative Company, is an entity designated by the Federal Communications Commission responsible for administering a roughly $10 billion fund that can be used to pay for Internet connections within impoverished regions, whether rural or urban. Eligible schools and libraries may receive discounts ranging from 20-90 percent on telecommunication services, depending on economic need and location. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has entered into state master contracts with vendors to support ICN customers for their E-rate category 2 purchases. The state has already conducted a competitive bidding process and selected vendors. Additional information is available on the iFiber website.
Monitoring Center
Northern Illinois Monitoring Center (NIMC) is designed to provide wide-area support for iFiber Community Anchor Institution network administrators registered with NIMC to access services. The NIMC number is 1-877-753-8100, where you will hear a message and asked to choose Option 3 to reach a live agent. This service introduced in July 2019 gives NIMC greater flexibility in updating emergency notification messages, as well as stronger metrics and measures to evaluate the effectiveness of this service. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at sales@ifiber.org .   Network Administrators: Register your organization's authorized administrators at 877-753-8100.  Sign up for e-mail alerts for advance notice about maintenance on the iFiber network or notification of a network down at   www.nimc.niu.edu
Illinois Fiber Resources Group
P.O. Box 755, Sycamore IL 60178
(815) 753-8113

E-mail: info@ifiber.org