NoaNet (Northwest Open Access Network) is a nonprofit public-benefit wholesale broadband organization founded in 2000 and owned by Washington State public utility districts. It operates an open-access fiber network of more than 3,800 miles that reaches every county in Washington State, providing the physical infrastructure on which data-intensive work - including that of AI and data teams - ultimately depends. The organisation's technical work spans fiber optic networking, open-access network architecture, broadband telecommunications and wholesale last-mile enablement.
The network is designed for wholesale use: NoaNet sells public-benefit connectivity to last-mile providers and to community anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, libraries and government agencies, rather than serving consumers directly. Revenue from these wholesale services is reinvested into the network to fund the mission and ensure fiscal sustainability. The organisation does not collect tax dollars or subsidies from water or electrical ratepayers.
NoaNet also operates a statewide emergency communications dispatch network carrying Next Generation 911 (NG911) services, making it part of Washington's public safety infrastructure. Its work concentrates on rural and underserved communities across Washington State and the wider Pacific Northwest, reflecting a mission focused on bridging the digital divide.
