The Greater Austin Area Telecommunications Network (GAATN) is an interlocal contract administrative agency formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 791. It is based on an interlocal agreement between:
Network Overview:
Network Design:
Recognition: Named Community Broadband Organization of the Year in 2011 by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).
- Austin Independent School District
- City of Austin
- Travis County
- State of Texas Department of Information Resources
- Austin Community College
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Lower Colorado River Authority
Network Overview:
- Infrastructure: Over 350 miles of fiber optic cable connecting more than 500 sites.
- Resilience: Designed to remain operational despite potential disasters, ensuring continuous service.
- Cost Savings: Saves partners a combined $22 million annually.
- Management: The City of Austin serves as the network operations manager, and Austin ISD serves as the financial manager.
Network Design:
- Configuration: Eleven physical rings with multiple interconnections for increased reliability.
- Ownership: Each entity owns individual single-mode fibers and maintains its own equipment.
- Purpose: Provides a platform for efficient delivery of governmental and educational services using cutting-edge technology.
Recognition: Named Community Broadband Organization of the Year in 2011 by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).
