Iconian gateway

The Iconian gateway was a technology developed by the ancient Iconians, whose underlying principles remain well beyond Federation science. The gateway allowed instantaneous travel over enormous distances; at least 70,000 light-years. Physically the gateway appeared literally as a "door", either suspended in space or surrounded by a frame, through which was the destination. An individual could simply step through the gateway as they would an ordinary door and emerge on the other side. The gateway network allowed the Iconians to travel throughout the galaxy without the use of starships.