Overview

In 1987, Indiana's governor signed into law legislation creating the Indiana Telecommunications Network Commission, or Intelenet, to arrange for a statewide voice/data/video network serving the needs of state and local government, libraries, law enforcement and judicial agencies, elementary/secondary education, higher education, and related public-sector organizations.

IHETS was the first and most extensive user of the new fiber optic network for its video services and continued to be engaged in state-level planning through the 1990s.

In 1998, Intelenet asked IHETS to expand its high-speed higher education data network, INDnet, to serve a broad range of public sector partners. IHETS continues to operate the network, known as the Indiana Telecommunications Network (ITN), that served more than 1,900 higher education member institutions, state agencies, schools, and libraries throughout the state during the peak of its operation.

In 2005, state officials determined that a commercial network manager was better positioned to operate the ITN. That fall, the state's Department of Education engaged the services of ENA to serve the Indiana K-12 community and their circuits were migrated off the ITN. The state's public libraries began the same process in the first quarter of 2006.

IHETS will continue to manage remaining ITN circuits on behalf of the state through June 30, 2006 and, possibly, for an extended contractual period beyond that date. It is currently refocusing on its core mission, however, which is serving the needs and interests of all public and private Indiana colleges and universities.