High-speed connectivity and services to help Ohio's technology economy thrive.
OARnet offers technology solutions that reduce costs, increase productivity and improve customer service for Ohio’s education, health care, public broadcasting and government communities. OARnet serves the specialized needs of a broad range of clients and provides high-level customer service 24/7. By investing in and championing cutting-edge innovations and forming public-private partnerships, OARnet helps the state of Ohio stay technologically competitive in economic development and the creation of a next-generation workforce.
OARnet is a part of the Ohio Technology Consortium (OH-TECH), the information and technology division of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
5,500+miles of fiber-optic backbone
Serving Ohioans
OARnet Services
OARnet enables high-speed solutions that build communities. Combining the power of an ultra-fast fiber-optic infrastructure, innovative and flexible network design and proven engineering expertise, OARnet is a trusted partner for delivering next-generation capabilities.
Integrated network services
OARnet’s flagship services are delivered across its ultra-fast fiber-optic network backbone, measuring more than 5,500 miles, through which OARnet aggregates demand to optimize costs and ensure maximum reliability and speed with fully redundant connections for uninterrupted performance.
Cybersecurity services
Through a layered approach, OARnet exceeds demanding security standards to prevent attacks and ensure information and infrastructure remain safe. OARnet offers three different types of DDoS services and tracks emerging threats with its research and education partners across the country.
Support services
Clients count on an around-the-clock network operations center and expert engineering assistance, including remote network management and on-site support.
Application services
OARnet’s trusted partners provide services such as VoIP, VMware and internet at a cost achievable only through statewide aggregate purchasing.
Enabling research
Internet2 research network connections in Cleveland and Cincinnati, soon to upgrade from 100 to 400 Gbps, and 10 Gbps connections to NASA Glenn Research Center and to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base make OARnet clients qualified applicants for research funding from sources like the National Science Foundation.
Enabling Ohio's Economic Success
As it works to ensure Ohio's competitiveness in an increasingly technology-dependent economy, OARnet is guided by three principles:
Increase access to technology through affordable broadband service
Reduce technology costs via community aggregate purchasing
Optimize collaboration and innovation through shared services
Savings
Data July 2021–June 2022
$58 million
savings for all clients
$15 million
savings for K–12 schools
$17 million
savings for higher education
$16 million
savings for State of Ohio agencies
Increasing Internet Bandwidth
7-Year Bandwidth Increases
273%
K–12 schools
250%
higher education
67%
state & local government
Spotlight
Marion Technical College's Library Classroom Building
Speed, security for higher ed with GEER
With $12.1 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, OARnet established the Last Mile Enhancement Program to increase broadband speeds by 1,000% at 41 Ohio colleges and universities and double the internet subscriptions for connected members. OARnet also utilized the funding to establish cybersecurity pilot programs in vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
Read more about the Last Mile Enhancement Program.
OARnet has provided network connectivity for PreK–12 school districts in Ohio since 2012.
Network upgrade for PreK–12 schools
The Management Council received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund that will enable OARnet to boost the bandwidth of Ohio’s PreK–12 schools. Connectivity between OARnet and 18 Information Technology Centers and seven large urban districts will increase from 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) to 100 Gbps.
Read more about the PreK-12 network upgrade.
Speeding Ohio Forward
In a world where more educational and governmental institutions rely on high-speed connectivity and technology services to support a remote workforce and student population, OARnet has the expertise and resources to advance Ohio online.
In 2023 and beyond, we will complete upgrades to last-mile connections to 41 higher education institutions and work with PreK–12 partners to complete upgrades in support of digital transformation; add 100 Gbps circuits to data centers in Chicago and Virginia to support peering, cloud and research network connectivity; upgrade our network backbone to 400 Gbps; implement new cybersecurity initiatives; and expand our relationship with BroadbandOhio and InnovateOhio to promote public-private partnerships.
