In December the Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON) completed its first year in business and I can't help but reflect upon the success of this past year with an eye on our vision and expectations for the coming year.

Governor Butch Otter ceremoniously "lit" IRON's fiber optic network connection to the Boise GigaPoP on October 9, 2008 marking a first momentous step. For the first time an advanced, high-speed and cost effective fiber optic network is available to institutions of research, education, healthcare, state government and their partner organizations that support research, education, healthcare and economic development in Idaho and the northern tier states. A high-speed bandwidth network now connects northern, southwestern and southeastern Idaho with GigaPoP access to national network consortiums (Northern Tier, Internet2, National LambdaRail, and the QUILT) in Boise. The QUILT, a consortium of nearly thirty regional optical networks advancing research and education nation-wide, accepted IRON as a meber in September. And, BYU-Idaho just recently connected to the network providing network access at gig-a-bit speeds to that campus for the first time. Four of the seven Charter Associates are now connected. Lewis-Clark State College has become IRON's first General Associate. In all, it's been a very busy year filled with not only accomplishments but anticipation.

At the January 21, 2009 Board of Directors meeting, IRON's 2009 Strategic Plan was approved. This plan formally recognizes the fundamental principles by which business will continue to be conducted and establishes a systematic and disciplined approach to addressing the vision of IRON's charter. Officers and directors have a personal commitment to community enrichment, fiscal responsibility, acceptable business ethics, strategic alliances and annual planning. Nearly two dozen specific strategic initiatives have been identified and prioritized. These initiatives represent aggressive but attainable 2009 goals for IRON's business and development, community involvement and operational maturity.

David O'Neill IRON President and CEO

IRON, as Idaho's common voice to the regional optical networking community will continue to demonstrate leadership not motivated by profit or parochial interests but by an ability to create value as a strategic technology asset to the state of Idaho. It remains committed and singularly focused to the provision of high speed network connectivity in support of education, research, government, healthcare and economic development. I encourage those whose mission and vision is consistent with that of IRON to join us in demonstrating leadership in an economically sound and growing Idaho.

David O'Neill
President and CEO, IRON

IRON - Lighting Idaho, Connecting Communities