OARNet, Inc.

What OARNet, Inc. does

OARnet (Ohio Academic Resources Network) is a division of the Ohio Department of Higher Education that operates a statewide fiber-optic broadband network spanning more than 5,500 miles and serving over 87 member institutions across Ohio. Founded in 1987 to provide Ohio researchers their first online access to the Ohio Supercomputer Center, the organization has expanded over nearly four decades to serve higher education, K-12 schools, state and local government agencies, healthcare facilities, and public broadcasting entities. It operates as part of the Ohio Technology Consortium (OH-TECH) alongside the Ohio Supercomputer Center and OhioLINK, and is structured as a member-funded consortium rather than a profit-seeking enterprise, with no private equity or shareholders.

The network core is a fiber-optic infrastructure that OARnet is currently upgrading from 100 Gbps to 400 Gbps capacity to handle growing peering and cloud connectivity traffic. Operations are anchored by a 24/7/365 Network Operations Center that provides monitoring, DDoS protection, and a pilot threat intelligence service run with Black Lotus Labs (Lumen). OARnet maintains direct peering to Internet2 and Equinix facilities in Chicago and Ashburn, and is conducting advanced research through a quantum networking testbed with The Ohio State University, supported by $1.75 million in state and federal funds and including a quantum key distribution demonstration between Columbus endpoints.

The business model combines recurring broadband subscription revenue from member institutions with aggregate purchasing programs that negotiate volume discounts on enterprise software including VMware by Broadcom, Esri ArcGIS, and Omnissa. Members receive consortium pricing benefits such as an average 7% rate decrease on FY2026 internet rates, FCC Healthcare Connect Fund reimbursements of up to 65% on eligible rural health expenses, and access to a 24/7 NOC and dedicated Business Relationship Managers. Distribution is direct via BRMs and the Carahsoft reseller channel for VMware/Omnissa procurement, while marketing runs through biannual Member Meetings, the OARnet website, newsletters, and peer-network partnerships including The Quilt and Internet2. As a state government entity, OARnet operates without private capital and reinvests operating activity into network infrastructure and shared services.

Name

OARNet, Inc.

Legal name

Ohio Academic Resources Network

Website

https://oar.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OARnet is the Ohio Academic Resources Network, a state government division operating a 5,500-mile fiber-optic broadband backbone that delivers connectivity and aggregate software purchasing to 87+ Ohio member institutions across higher education, K-12, government, healthcare, and public broadcasting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Education Network Services

NAICS

Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP) (HDAIAFAG)

Keywords

• Research and education network
• Broadband connectivity services
• Aggregate technology purchasing
• Fiber-optic network infrastructure
• Cybersecurity managed services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Broadband/Connectivity Services: OARnet provides affordable broadband access through its statewide fiber-optic network to member institutions. As a division of the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Ohio Technology Consortium, OARnet operates as a consortium/non-profit entity providing shared services to its members rather than generating profit.
2. Aggregate Purchasing Programs: OARnet leverages aggregate purchasing power to deliver discounted technology products and services (VMware, Esri, Omnissa) to member institutions at substantially reduced rates compared to individual purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OARnet delivers affordable high-speed broadband connectivity through its 5,500+ mile statewide fiber-optic network backbone to member institutions across higher education, K-12, state and local government, healthcare, and public broadcasting. It also operates a 24/7 Network Operations Center, provides aggregate purchasing programs for VMware, Omnissa, and Esri software at substantially reduced rates, and offers cybersecurity services including DDoS protection, vulnerability management, and threat intelligence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Network Services Core broadband connectivity services providing affordable high-speed internet access through OARnet's statewide fiber-optic network backbone to member institutions in education, government, healthcare, and public broadcasting.
• Cybersecurity Services Security services including DDoS protection, Tenable vulnerability management subscriptions, and a pilot threat intelligence program in partnership with Black Lotus Labs (Lumen) offered to member institutions.
• Network Peering Direct connections to Internet2 and peering connections to Equinix facilities in Chicago, Illinois and Ashburn, Virginia for enhanced network performance.
• Support Services Client support including Service Desk, maintenance and outage notifications, policies, statistics, and a 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC).
• VMware by Broadcom Cloud computing and virtualization platform (VCF Data Center and VCF Edge) offered through OARnet's aggregate purchasing program with substantial discounts off list price for Ohio member institutions.
• Omnissa Desktop and app virtualization services including Horizon VDI and Workspace ONE UEM, offered through OARnet's aggregate purchasing program to 100+ clients including colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and government members.
• Esri/ArcGIS Geographic information system software provided through OARnet's educational site license program, offering unlimited use of ArcGIS and other Esri products for teaching and research purposes to 38 member institutions.
• Voice Over IP (VoIP) Connects government, K-12, and higher education entities to Ohio's Next Generation Telephony Service (NGTS), including Voice over IP, audio conferencing, and video conferencing features.
• Emergency Web Hosting Guarantees website availability during crises such as fire, weather, construction mishaps, or traffic surges with dedicated server, 1GB storage, and instantaneous network-level redirection.
• Quantum Networking Testbed Quantum networking testbed development with Ohio State University supported by $1.75 million in state and federal funds, demonstrating quantum key distribution for enhanced information security.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members receive average 7% rate decrease on annual internet rates for FY2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ohio Department of Higher EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987OARnet is a division of the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Ohio Technology Consortium. ODHE provides governance, oversight, and strategic direction for OARnet's statewide network initiatives.
• Ohio Supercomputer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987Both OARnet and OSC were established in 1987. OARnet provides connectivity to the Ohio Supercomputer Center, enabling researchers access to high-performance computing resources.
• OhioLINKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987OhioLINK (Ohio Library and Information Network) is part of the Ohio Technology Consortium alongside OARnet, serving libraries and information resources across Ohio higher education.
• The QuiltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Quilt is the national coalition of non-profit regional research and education networks providing advanced network services to 900+ universities and thousands of educational institutions. OARnet's Pankaj Shah served as chair and vice chair on The Quilt's board and CEO Roundtable.
• Internet2coreTechnology or IntegrationInternet2 is the national research and education network. OARnet maintains direct connections to Internet2 and represented OARnet on Internet2's board and governance committees.
• BroadbandOhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadbandOhio leads statewide efforts to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved Ohioans. OARnet collaborates with BroadbandOhio on projects including the U.S. Route 30 broadband extension ($20 million project) and Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion program targeting 130,000 residents.
• The Ohio State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSU partners with OARnet on quantum networking testbed ($1.75M in state/federal funds), 5G and Broadband Connectivity Center (5G-OH) internship program, NAAMCE aviation research connectivity, and Internet2 connections.
• VMware by BroadcomcoreTechnology or IntegrationOARnet established aggregate purchasing program for VMware products in partnership with The Ohio State University, ODHE, ODEW, DAS OIT, and VMware by Broadcom. Offers deeply discounted VCF products through 2029.
• EsricoreTechnology or IntegrationOARnet is the main Educational Site License contact in Ohio for Esri's ArcGIS products. Oversees primary educational site license program allowing unlimited use for teaching and research. Currently 38 member institutions use this offering.
• OmnissacoreTechnology or IntegrationOARnet negotiated direct contract with Omnissa for virtual desktop software offering. Currently has over 100 Omnissa clients including Ohio colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and government members of DAS OIT Cooperative Purchasing Program.
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAMS leads a national consortium enabling Ohio institutions to receive FCC Rural Health Care Program reimbursements (65% discount) for qualifying technology expenditures. Nine Ohio institutions joined in 2025.
• CarahsoftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOARnet contracted with Carahsoft to support quote requests for VMware and Omnissa products. Carahsoft handles pricing inquiries and order processing for aggregate purchasing programs.
• Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerODOT's Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center at Springfield-Beckley Airport partners with OARnet for fiber connectivity supporting drone testing and the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE).
• City of SpringfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Springfield partnered with OARnet on the NAAMCE facility connectivity project. OARnet's fiber infrastructure supports the $9M facility expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.
• Broadcast Educational Media Commission (BEMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEMC operates Ohio's eight public television and 15 public radio stations. OARnet upgraded BEMC's backbone from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, providing 24/7 redundancy and 99.981% uptime for statewide emergency broadcasts.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Internet2: The national U.S. research and education network; OARnet is a direct member and partners with Internet2 for high-speed R&E connectivity. Closest functional analogue in mission and consortium model.
• Merit Network: Michigan-based nonprofit R&E network operating statewide fiber and community-Internet services for education, government, and healthcare. Closest geographic and structural analogue to OARnet's Ohio mission.
• CENIC (Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California): California's R&E network serving K-12, higher ed, libraries, and research institutions with high-speed fiber and aggregation services. Directly comparable consortium-model broadband + aggregate-purchasing operator.
• MCNC: North Carolina-based nonprofit operating the NCREN fiber backbone for education, healthcare, and public-sector communities. Closely comparable mission, audience, and operating model to OARnet.
• NYSERNET: New York State Education and Research Network providing high-speed IP and peering services to colleges, universities, and research institutions. Comparable scope, customer set, and consortium governance.
• WiscNet: Wisconsin-based nonprofit serving education and public-sector entities with broadband, Internet2 connectivity, and shared services. Analogous scale and customer mix to OARnet's 87+ Ohio members.
• GPN (Great Plains Network): Regional consortium serving R&E institutions across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. Comparable nonprofit consortium operating broadband + research-network services for higher ed and K-12.

Broad incumbents

• The Quilt: National coalition of nonprofit regional R&E networks serving 900+ universities. OARnet's Executive Director Pankaj Shah served on its board. Acts as the umbrella/membership body for OARnet and similar state networks.

Regional players

• Indiana University Telecommunications (I-Light / GlobalNOC): Indiana-based R&E network and GlobalNOC managed-NOC services arm serving higher ed and K-12. Directly comparable in mission; differs in geographic footprint.

Others

• Carahsoft: Public-sector IT reseller/distributor. OARnet uses Carahsoft for VMware and Omnissa quote and order processing. Touches OARnet's aggregate-purchasing model as a channel enabler rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OARnet
• Pinterestpinterest.com/oarnet
• Xx.com/oarnet
• Facebookfacebook.com/oarnet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oarnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OARNet, Inc.