Press Releases
New partnership bolsters Cincinnati-area higher education network
OARnet takes on management of fiber network segment serving several colleges and universities
For 15 years, the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and Xavier University shared the Cincinnati Education and Research Fiber Ring (CERF) to support the education and research missions of their schools. When the schools learned in fall 2021 that the CERF ring would no longer be donated by their benefactor, the members reached out to OARnet for assistance.
Ohio BMV pilots self-service kiosks with help from OARnet
New initiative will increase public accessibility to motor vehicle services
In an effort to make its services easier to access, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) recently announced the launch of nine self-service kiosks at deputy registrar and retail locations around the state. These kiosks, currently in a pilot phase, will allow Ohio drivers to renew their vehicle registration and print out their new registration cards and validation stickers while minimizing wait times at the BMV.
OARnet awarded National Science Foundation grant to develop STEM training and research resources for higher education
Facing a growing need for secured education cyberinfrastructure, OARnet and partners will develop the Virtual Research-Education Ohio (VROhio) program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded OARnet a planning grant to develop a network of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training and research resources for smaller higher education institutions in the state of Ohio.
In December 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine allocated $12.1 million through the Governors Emergency Education Relief program to upgrade OARnet's last-mile internet connections to 40 colleges and universities.
Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted announce broadband expansion project in East Cleveland
OARnet helps bring affordable high-speed internet access to underserved community
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a new broadband expansion project located in the City of East Cleveland. The pilot project launched today will connect residents to reliable, low-cost high-speed internet.
Husted announces broadband pilot project expanding access in rural northwestern Ohio
Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of InnovateOhio, announced the launch of several innovative projects involving OARnet at Riverside Local Schools to expand access to broadband for students in rural northwestern Ohio.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of InnovateOhio, today visited Riverside Local School District in Logan County to announce the launch of several innovative projects at the school that are funded through Ohio’s K-12 Broadband Connectivity Grant and that will help provide affordable high-speed internet access to a student population that is largely underserved by broadband.
Last Mile Enhancement Program brings tenfold increase in broadband speed to 41 Ohio colleges and universities
Students, faculty to benefit from faster connectivity, expanded access
Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner and OARnet have announced the $12.1 million Last Mile Enhancement Program to increase broadband speeds by 1,000% at 41 Ohio colleges and universities.
The award will also enable all 87 OARnet-connected colleges and universities to double their internet subscriptions for two years beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The added capacity will enable more bandwidth-intensive applications and better facilitate remote instruction.
OARnet elevates Fullmer to chief technology officer, Wise to director of networking
Changes to organizational structure enhance OARnet’s capabilities and efficiency
The Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet) announced today the promotion of Mark Fullmer to chief technology officer and the appointment of Aaron Wise as his replacement as director of networking, effective immediately.
Reflecting Fullmer and Wise’s expertise and leadership, these changes are key to ensuring OARnet’s long-term success as one of the most advanced statewide network infrastructures in the United States.
Research and Education Networks in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Announce Partnership in the Fight Against COVID-19
I-Light, Merit, and OARnet team up to provide internet access and support online learning, research, and state and local government initiatives to aid communities amid pandemic
Please Note: This press release was originally published by Indiana University and can be found on their website here.
Speedy Circuit-Building Effort Supports COVID-19 Fight
Following the health emergency declaration, the State of Ohio urgently needed an IT network connection between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) offices in downtown Columbus and its ODH Receipt, Stage, and Store (RSS) warehouse.
Supporting the Emergency Needs of OARnet Clients
On March 11, 2020, shortly after cases of the COVID-19 virus were officially detected in Ohio, Chancellor Randy Gardner and OARnet staff reached out to their communities to offer subsidized expansion of network bandwidth. This was done in an effort to better serve what was expected to be a dramatically increased need for online learning and teleworking arrangements.
