OARnet

09/24/2026

We’re thrilled to be in Philadelphia for the 2026 Fall Member Meeting of The Quilt, connecting with peers across the national Research and Education Network community!

Yesterday centered on collaboration across the community, with conversations focused on how regional networks strengthen member services, respond to federal programs like Rural Health Care and E-rate, and share practical strategies that support the institutions and communities they serve.

We also joined the discussion about how Quilt members are leading efforts in their states to create strategies for AI, quantum, broadband, cybersecurity, and research cyberinfrastructure, and putting those plans into action.

09/23/2026

OARnet valued the opportunity to participate in timely conversations about AI and information security at this week’s IUC Collaborative Initiatives Summit.

We enjoyed connecting with colleagues from across Ohio higher education to identify how we can work together to strengthen and advance technology innovation in the state.

09/18/2026

OARnet invites you to explore our 2025-26 Annual Report, in which we showcase the impact of our one united network on the lives of 12 million Ohioans. Read how:

OARnet saves its clients more than $40 million annually, through aggregate purchasing agreements and a new friction-free business model for higher education members, at a time when technology needs are rising. 

Our engineering team and fiber-optic network support critical functions such as emergency communications and access to statewide education and research resources such as the Ohio Supercomputer Center and OhioLINK.

K-12 and higher education institutions have benefited from increased bandwidth, connections to national research collaborations, shared infrastructure, and cybersecurity services. 

Local and state government agencies have provided exemplary service to Ohioans through new technology and economic development initiatives supported by OARnet.

In OARnet’s 2025-26 annual report, we showcase the impact of one united state network on the lives of 12 million Ohioans. As we reflect on the last fiscal year, we examine how OARnet has connected and supported Ohio’s education, research, health care, libraries, public broadcasting, emergency co...

09/11/2026

The Ohio Digital Government Summit offered great examples of how our colleagues in state and local government are tackling challenges in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital service delivery.

The OARnet team appreciated the chance to learn from peers who have developed resources and technology strategies for providing exemplary government service to their Ohio communities.

We’re proud to support continued innovation across Ohio.

09/03/2026

OARnet staff attended this week’s Government Innovation Ohio event, which brought together senior government leaders to discuss how Ohio is advancing digital transformation.

We were glad to see The Ohio State University Professor Ronald Reano share work connected to his ongoing collaboration with OARnet on a quantum networking test bed, which is helping advance the integration of classical and quantum networks across Ohio and the Midwest.

We appreciated the opportunity to connect with our colleagues to learn more about how government agencies are modernizing infrastructure and strengthening cyber resiliency.

These collaborations give OARnet insight into how to best plan for and power the state’s digital future, for the benefit of all Ohioans we serve.

07/31/2026

OARnet was excited to participate in this week’s announcement of the State of Ohio’s $20 million investment in the U.S. Route 30 Middle-Mile Infrastructure Project, which will add 257 miles of fiber to the state backbone to provide new connectivity for community anchor institutions in this region of Ohio.

Through our collaboration with BroadbandOhio and a strong public-private partnership, we will work with longtime government and private partners to strengthen the middle mile of our network with additional points of presence along the route, which will facilitate more affordable last-mile connections for hundreds of organizations that will benefit from enhanced broadband service.

This project will further strengthen the reliability and resiliency of Ohio’s statewide network and will allow us to conduct research on new quantum networking technologies that advance cybersecurity.

Together, we are building infrastructure that will deliver lasting benefits for Ohio while creating new opportunities for communities across our state.

06/18/2026

🌐 Collaboration is one of the most powerful tools for solving technology challenges.

At the OARnet Central Ohio Cohort Meeting, education and government leaders came together to explore how shared services, regional partnerships, and collaborative infrastructure can help organizations address evolving technology needs.

Presentations from partners including the City of Columbus, the State of Ohio Computer Center, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services First Responder Communications Program, and the Ohio Supercomputer Center highlighted opportunities to leverage shared resources, strengthen resiliency, and maximize the value of existing technology investments.

Thank you to our partners and attendees for making our first meeting a success. We look forward to continuing these conversations and building on the relationships that help support Ohio’s communities.

05/29/2026

Russell M. Pitzer, whose vision helped lay the foundation for both the Ohio Supercomputer Center and the statewide network that became OARnet, passed away this past week. As the first director of OARnet, Russ played an important role in shaping the early concepts behind connecting Ohio’s research community and remained engaged with these efforts over many years.

The network he helped envision continues to support collaboration, access, and discovery across the state, and Russ’s immense impact will continue to be felt for years to come. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

View Russell Mosher Pitzer's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/29/2026

OARnet joined public-sector technology leaders from across Ohio at the Ohio IT Leadership Forum.

From AI governance and cybersecurity to digital infrastructure, workforce readiness, and statewide innovation, the event brought together organizations working to shape the future of technology across Ohio.

Events like this create valuable opportunities to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore how technology can continue supporting innovation and service across Ohio communities.

05/27/2026

Artificial intelligence, statewide collaboration, and the future of higher education technology were at the center of OARnet’s Spring 2026 Member Meeting held during the Ohio Higher Education Computing Council (OHECC) conference at The University of Toledo.

The meeting featured updates on major statewide infrastructure initiatives, cybersecurity efforts, cloud connectivity expansion, and OARnet’s modernized business model projected to save members $525,000 in FY27.

Attendees also heard from higher education technology leaders across Ohio during a panel discussion focused on how campuses are approaching AI adoption, governance, workforce readiness, and security in an evolving digital landscape.

Learn more:

OARnet hosted its semi-annual Member Meeting on May 13 in conjunction with the Ohio Higher Education Computing Council (OHECC) annual conference held at The University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The event featured a panel discussion about how various higher education institutions in Ohio are develop...