OARnet

Great conversations at yesterday’s OARnet Fall Member Meeting! 🍂 Topics included broadband expansion, campus AI work, cybersecurity collaboration, and advances in quantum networking. Thank you to our members and partners for your continued collaboration.

📸 Recap from #AnchorNets2025 in Virginia! OARnet connected with broadband, network, and community leaders to discuss affordability programs, AI, and the future of connectivity—collaboration that enables Ohio to lead the way while staying connected to the national conversation.

📸 OARnet Executive Director Pankaj Shah attended the 2025 Ohio Higher Education IT Leadership Summit in his role on the event’s advisory board, connecting with higher education leaders including Standish Stewart and David Kuhns of Cuyahoga Community College.

🤝 OARnet is at the 2025 IUC Collaborative Initiatives Summit in Columbus! Ohio’s public universities are coming together to discuss AI, cybersecurity, shared services & more—shaping the future of higher ed across the state.

OARnet was in Michigan this week for @TweetTheQuilt's Fall Member Meeting. Topics covered: AI, cybersecurity, resilience & collaboration with RENs nationwide—conversations that shape the future of networking in Ohio.

🏆 Congratulations to OARnet Executive Director Pankaj Shah, recipient of The Quilt’s 2025 Dave Reese Distinguished Service Award! The honor recognizes extraordinary leadership & service in advancing research & education networking. More ➡️ oar.net/press/oarnet_e…

🚀 The OARnet 2024–25 Annual Report is live! From 400 Gbps network upgrades to autonomous farming research, see how we’re driving innovation across Ohio: oar.net/press/oarnet_r…

📍From fiber lines to football fields, @mountunion has mapped it all. With support from @OARnet, their IT team used ArcGIS to digitize campus infrastructure—boosting safety, planning, and peace of mind. 💡A small team making a significant impact: oar.net/press/mount_un…

OARnet’s Pankaj Shah and Mark Fullmer, as well as collaborator Ron Reano of The Ohio State University, attended the Quantum Partnership Workshop in South Dakota at @SanfordLab to explore how regional collaboration can expand quantum networking research across the Midwest.

Quantum encryption is taking shape in Ohio. 💡🔐 @OhioState researchers just established their first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link between two campus buildings — with OARnet hosting the transmitter. A big step toward quantum-secure communication 🚀 oar.net/press/quantum_…

OARnet Executive Director Pankaj Shah joined a panel at the @NatlGovsAssoc Broadband Leaders Workshop, where leaders discussed broadband access. Led by BroadbandOhio's (@OhioDevelopment) Peter Voderberg, the panel explored how partnerships advance connectivity in Ohio.

We wrapped a great Spring Member Meeting at @uofcincy with updates on: 📉 7% avg. internet rate drop (FY26) 💻 VMware, Omnissa & ArcGIS contracts 🛰️ NG911/MARCS backbone work 🧠 Regional services panel ✈️ Drone/eVTOL research at NAAMCE More: oar.net/press/oarnet_s…

OHECC 2025 is wrapping up and what a week it’s been! 🎉 From impactful presentations to thought-provoking keynotes, we’re grateful for this yearly opportunity to connect with and learn from our higher education peers across Ohio. Until next year! 👋

Thank you to our panelists for sharing their insights and expertise during yesterday’s Shared Regional Resources ℹ️ session! 👥 From left to right: • Frankie Baker, @CinStateCollege • Bharath Prabhakaran, @uofcincy • John Rathje, @KentState

We’re at the @uofcincy for OARnet’s Spring Member Meeting! From our 400 Gbps upgrade and upcoming Terabit Network to mentorship and internship programs, we’re proud to support statewide connectivity. 🌐 📸 A few highlights ⬇️

We’re back at the @COSI Big Science Celebration this Saturday, May 3, from 11–5! 🎉 📍 Find us left of the main stage 🛠️ Build a supercomputer node 🪐 Explore VR 🎒 Make a backpack tag Hands-on fun for all ages—we hope to see you there!

🏕️📡 Staying connected at Ohio’s lodges and campgrounds is now easier than ever! OARnet, @ohiodnr, @OhioDAS, @OhioDevelopment & private providers expanded fiber access, boosting speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps at 100+ sites. Learn more: bit.ly/42iow5M

Exciting conversations at #OETC25! 🚀 From pilot projects to partnerships, we're collaborating with the BroadbandOhio office of the @OhioDevelopment & Management Council to ensure all Ohioans have the broadband access they need to learn. Looking forward to the next two days!

Great views, great food and even greater company. Enjoyed lunch yesterday with @NSF CC* PIs and @Internet2 colleagues at #QuiltWMM Excited for another day of good conversations and connection!

Our views from Tempe, Arizona! 🌵 If you’re attending today's event with @TweetTheQuilt and @NSF, be sure to stop by the registration desk to grab a copy of OARnet’s Annual Report. We’re looking forward to an insightful day of networking and collaboration! #QuiltWMM