LEARN

What LEARN does

LEARN (Lonestar Education and Research Network) is a Texas-based non-profit consortium founded in 2004 that operates a statewide high-performance fiber optic network serving the research, education, healthcare, and public-sector communities of Texas. Enabled by the Texas Legislature via SB1771 and seeded with $7.28M from the Texas Enterprise Fund, LEARN operates over 3,200 miles of optical fiber across Texas with 26-37 strategically located Points-of-Presence, connecting more than 300 direct and affiliate member organizations — including 43-44 governing members ranging from flagship universities (Texas A&M, UT System, Rice, SMU) to K-12 networks (TETN), federal agencies (NOAA), healthcare systems (UT MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine), and government entities.

The network is built on Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) optical technology with 32 DWDM on-ramps, supporting Layer 1 Dedicated Transport, Layer 2 IP/MPLS services, Layer 3 IP routing, and Science DMZ frameworks for high-performance research computing. LEARN functions as the exclusive Internet2 connector for Texas, providing 100G gateways to Internet2 and the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) and a 200G link to the Pacific Wave international exchange. It also provisions SLA-based Layer 2 connections to AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, and offers DDoS mitigation, peering/caching, co-location, and 24/7 NOC support. Performance monitoring is enabled by perfSONAR deployed across member campuses.

LEARN's business model is a membership-based consortium funded by member dues, state appropriations, and NSF grants. Members pay rates set by the Board of Directors and receive professional engineering support, governance participation (full members hold Board seats), and access to consortium pricing through The Quilt and Carahsoft. The organization is currently executing a major infrastructure modernization through a Nokia partnership announced in October 2024, supported by new executive leadership including CEO Kerry Mobley (April 2024) and CTO Ken Miller.

Name

LEARN

Legal name

LEARN: Lonestar Education and Research Network

Website

https://tx-learn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LEARN is a Texas non-profit consortium operating a 3,200+ mile DWDM fiber network that connects 300+ member institutions — universities, K-12, healthcare, and government — providing high-speed research connectivity, Internet2/ESnet gateway services, cloud access, and 24/7 NOC support across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Education Network Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Utility Fiber Backbone & Transport Networks (OTN/MPLS, DWDM) (EUADAIAA), Optical/Transport Network Management (OTN/WDM Controllers) (HDAFAGAK)

Keywords

• Research and education networking
• Fiber optic network services
• Consortium broadband services
• DWDM optical transport
• Network operations support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lubbock

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Network Services: LEARN provides network services funded by members who consume the services at rates set by the Board. Services include Layer 1 Dedicated Transport, Layer 2 IP/MPLS Transport, Layer 2 connections to Cloud Service Providers (AWS, Google, Azure), Routed Layer 3 IP Services, Connection Gateways to National Research Networks, and other advanced networking services. Network services sustain current and future network requirements including capital refresh at periodic intervals.
2. Membership Fees: LEARN operates as a membership-based organization where members pay fees for access to network services, professional engineering support, consortium buying contracts, and governance participation.
3. USAC Telecommunications/Internet Services: LEARN is listed as a telecommunications/Internet service provider with the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC), enabling school, library, and rural healthcare customers to receive significant discounts through the Universal Services Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LEARN operates a statewide DWDM optical fiber network spanning over 3,200 miles across Texas, providing Layer 1/2/3 transport, cloud connectivity, national research network gateways, DDoS mitigation, and 24/7 NOC support to over 300 member institutions including universities, K-12 schools, healthcare systems, and government entities through a membership consortium model.

Product overview

LEARN (Lonestar Education and Research Network) is a non-profit consortium providing high-performance fiber optic networking infrastructure services across Texas. The organization operates a statewide fiber network spanning over 3,200 miles, connecting more than 300 member institutions including universities, K-12 schools, healthcare facilities, government entities, and libraries. LEARN's service portfolio includes Layer 1/2/3 transport services, cloud connectivity to AWS/Google/Azure, national research network gateways (Internet2, ESnet), DDoS mitigation, managed network services, and 24/7 NOC support. The network infrastructure utilizes DWDM optical technology with 26 strategically located Points-of-Presence. LEARN does not offer discrete software products but rather provides shared network infrastructure and related technical services to its member organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Layer 1 Dedicated Transport Services
• Layer 2 IP/MPLS Transport Services
• Cloud Connectivity Services
• Layer 3 IP Services
• National Research Network Gateways
• DDoS Mitigation Service
• Managed Network Services
• Network Operations Center (NOC)
• Peering and Caching Services
• Consortium Pricing Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 Gigabit connections provisioned to national research networks in Dallas and Houston
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Internet2coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2007LEARN became the Internet2 Connector for Texas on September 1, 2007. As part of Internet2's K-20 Initiative, LEARN provides gateway services to Internet2's national advanced networking network for Texas institutions that are not direct Internet2 members. LEARN provisions 100 Gigabit connections in Dallas and Houston to Internet2.
• Energy Sciences Network (ESnet)coreTechnology or IntegrationLEARN provides 100G connection to ESnet, the national research network for the U.S. Department of Energy, enabling Texas researchers to access high-performance computing resources and collaborate on data-intensive scientific research.
• Pacific Wave International ExchangecoreTechnology or IntegrationLEARN provides 200G connection to Pacific Wave Network, an NSF-funded project promoting research between Texas and the Asia-Pacific Region through high-capacity international network exchanges.
• The QuiltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Quilt is a non-profit national coalition of 38 advanced regional research and education networks. LEARN participates in The Quilt's consortium pricing program through Carahsoft, enabling member discounts on software licenses, cloud services, and professional services from major technology vendors.
• CarahsoftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough its partnership with Carahsoft, The Quilt (including LEARN members) accesses discounted pricing on technology products and services including perpetual software licenses, subscription licenses, cloud infrastructure, managed services, and professional services.
• THEnet (Texas Higher Education Network)majorTechnology or IntegrationTHEnet is managed by the University of Texas System's Office of Telecommunication Services and provides Internet access to education, research, and healthcare institutions in Texas as a subscriber organization and LEARN affiliated network.
• NETnet (Northeast Texas Consortium)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNETnet is the collaborative effort of 15 higher education institutions in rural northeast Texas, based at UT Health Science Center at Tyler. As a LEARN participant, NETnet acts as a network hub distributing connectivity to its member college and university sites.
• Southeast Texas GigaPOPmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Southeast Texas GigaPOP (SETG) in the Houston area provides networking infrastructure to support academic and research missions of connecting institutions and acts as an aggregation point for members to connect to Internet2.
• Texas Education Telecommunications Network (TETN)majorTechnology or IntegrationTETN is a private video/data network among the 20 Texas Education Service Centers and the Texas Education Agency. TETN operates as an overlay on LEARN's network, connected at LEARN's POPs, providing centralized video network to its 21 members.
• Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe State of Texas DIR provides services to state-supported institutions. LEARN may provide new or make available existing capacities to DIR at mutually agreed rates, with DIR gaining access to LEARN's infrastructure for providing services to its statutorily designated constituency.
• Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTACC at University of Texas at Austin provides advanced computing resources for Texas researchers. LEARN collaborates with TACC on NSF grants (LEAPS, BRICCS, TRECIS) to provide network connectivity and cyberinfrastructure support to smaller campuses.
• Open Science Grid (OSG)majorTechnology or IntegrationLEARN facilitates access to Open Science Grid for member campuses through its NSF-funded programs, enabling distributed high-throughput computing resources for research workflows.
• Engagement and Performance Operations Center (EPOC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPOC collaborates with LEARN on NSF grants to support regional network connectivity and performance monitoring infrastructure at smaller campuses in Texas.
• NokiacoreTechnology or IntegrationLEARN selected Nokia in October 2024 to deploy a new high-capacity network to foster research and education in Texas. This represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for the network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MERIT Network: MERIT Network operates fiber and network services for Michigan's research and education community, providing Internet2 connectivity, managed network services, and cyberinfrastructure to universities, K-12, and government entities — paralleling LEARN's consortium model and service portfolio.
• KINBER (Keystone Initiative for Network-Based Education and Research): KINBER operates Pennsylvania's research and education network, providing high-capacity fiber connectivity, Internet2 access, and managed network services to universities, K-12, libraries, and healthcare institutions — closely comparable to LEARN's mission, scale, and service offerings in a different regional geography.
• OARnet (Ohio Academic Resources Network): OARnet provides high-speed networking, Internet2 connectivity, and cyberinfrastructure services to Ohio's higher education, K-12, healthcare, and government institutions. Its statewide fiber footprint, member-driven governance, and service mix closely parallel LEARN's Texas operations.
• CENIC: CENIC (Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California) operates a comparable statewide fiber network serving California universities, K-12, and research institutions. CENIC provides similar Layer 1/2/3 transport, cloud connectivity, and Internet2 gateway services, making it the most direct operational peer to LEARN.
• GPN (Great Plains Network): The Great Plains Network is a consortium of universities across the central U.S. providing high-performance research networking, Internet2 connectivity, and cyberinfrastructure support to member institutions — comparable to LEARN's role as a regional R&E network serving academic and research members.
• NYSERNet: NYSERNet is a New York State research and education network providing high-speed IP networking, Internet2 connectivity, and cyberinfrastructure services to universities, research institutions, and K-12 schools — directly paralleling LEARN's mission and service model in a different state geography.
• FLR (Florida LambdaRail): Florida LambdaRail operates a regional optical network serving Florida's research universities with high-bandwidth connectivity, Internet2 peering, and DWDM infrastructure. Its scale, service offerings, and research-focus customer base mirror LEARN's core operations in Texas.

Broad incumbents

• Internet2: Internet2 is the national U.S. research and education network that LEARN connects to as the Texas regional connector. Both provide high-performance IP/MPLS transport, Science DMZ frameworks, and 100G+ connectivity for higher education and research institutions, with overlapping service portfolios targeting the same customer base.
• Zayo Group: Zayo is a major commercial fiber operator providing lit and dark fiber services, including to many research and education customers. It represents a commercial-scale competitor for Layer 1/2 transport that LEARN members could alternatively procure, though Zayo lacks LEARN's education-focused mission and consortium governance.

Others

• The Quilt: The Quilt is a non-profit coalition of 38 advanced regional research and education networks including LEARN. While not a direct network operator, The Quilt enables consortium pricing, advocacy, and shared services that directly complement LEARN's business model and member value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tx_learn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 LEARN