Link Oregon, a federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) Oregon non-profit organization, provides high-speed, fiber-optic broadband connectivity to our state’s public and non-profit sectors.
We are a facilities-based middle mile provider with more than 50 access locations statewide and interconnectivity locations in Seattle, Boise, and Sunnyvale, CA. We work with an ecosystem of community and commercial collaborators to build and maintain our systems and services. Our high-capacity network will eventually serve more than 600+ locations across the state of Oregon, making it easier for these entities to collaborate, share information and deliver services to Oregon’s residents and visitors.
The Link Oregon Network Map shows an artistic rendering of our 50 service locations (2023). Contact us for precise locations.
History
Link Oregon was founded in 2019 as the Oregon Fiber Partnership. Upon formation, Link Oregon absorbed the University of Oregon’s former Network for Education and Research in Oregon (NERO) and its members. We are actively engaged in adding additional members across the state.
Link Oregon has, thus far, deployed a secure network with more than 50 service locations. We will continue to expand the network’s reach and capacity, ensuring our ability to support the needs of public and non-profit organizations across the state.
Founding Members
Link Oregon is a consortium of the State of Oregon through its Enterprise Information Services (EIS) unit and the state’s four largest research universities: Oregon State University, OHSU, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon.
Sectors We Serve in Oregon
Link Oregon provides fast, reliable, cost-effective Internet and shared network services to K-12, higher education, libraries, Tribes, public healthcare organizations, remote state offices, and other public and non-profit organizations and facilities across Oregon. We engage with rural and Tribal communities to better understand their needs and assist in improving their broadband access.
Our Ecosystem
With a strong focus on middle mile infrastructure, Link Oregon works with a vast local, regional and national ecosystem to advance high-speed broadband access across the state of Oregon for diverse constituents– from unserved and underserved populations across our state to the most advanced networking needs in research computing.
That ecosystem includes various entities/groups within and affiliated with the Oregon state government, such as Enterprise Information Services (one of our founding members), as well as Federal organizations such as the NTIA, NOAA, NSF and the FCC.
Public-private partnerships are essential to expanding broadband access. The broadband ecosystem we participate in also includes various commercial entities such as regional and national telcos, smaller infrastructure providers, optronic service providers, application developers and regional Internet Exchanges with whom we peer, such as NWAX, WIX, COIX, PNWGP and SIX. National non-profit coalitions such as The Quilt, SHLB, NDIA (we are members of all 3), as well as fellow Research & Education Networks (RENs) such as Internet2, CENIC, WA K-20 Education Network, IRON and UETN, also play a vital role within this thriving, mission-aligned ecosystem.
Link Oregon is proud to engage and collaborate with many like-minded, mission-driven organizations, and share/exchange/learn best practices with others. We lead and facilitate monthly meetings of the Western States Broadband Alliance (WSBA), a coalition of non-profit and public sector broadband experts and stakeholders drawn from California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, and several Tribes. WSBA members represent RENs, state broadband offices, state libraries, research universities, and Tribes.
Digital Equity
As a non-profit broadband services provider for Oregon’s public and non-profit sectors, we are committed to lending our voice to champion the connectivity needs of Oregon’s unserved and underserved populations, including those living in rural and frontier communities.
Affordable and reliable high-speed access isn’t just a technology initiative but a powerful catalyst for opening opportunity for the historically marginalized, including communities of color, indigenous peoples, older adults, rural communities and those with disabilities.
In 2023, Link Oregon along with Oregon State University (Extension & Engagement) and Rural Prosperity Partners created the Oregon Broadband Equity Coalition (OBEC).
OBEC’s mission is to spearhead digital readiness across the State of Oregon by facilitating coordination and collaboration and sharing of best practices among all coalition members. OBEC focuses on access to broadband, devices, skills training and other services that are instrumental for making digital equity a reality for all Oregonians.
Learn more at the OBEC website.
Link Oregon in the Community
