As economies become increasingly global and interconnected, high-speed internet access and network connectivity will be a vital, if not essential ingredient in supporting entrepreneurs and new economy jobs. This need for high-speed broadband availability and access is amplified in communities that host institutions of higher learning. Often, the communities that immediately surround a college or a university also possess an above average concentration of entrepreneurs, tech savvy research faculty, and socially networked young adults. The concentration of high-speed internet is a significant factor for a college or university to compete globally for the most talented faculty and for a community to attract innovative young professionals.
Recognizing the need for all of Michigan communities to aggressively increase the deployment and availability of faster broadband, the Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) and Michigan State University (MSU) engaged in a ground breaking national effort called the “the University Community Next Generation Innovation Project,” or “Gig.U.” Lead by the Aspen Institute, Gig.U seeks to accelerate the deployment of ultra high-speed networks to leading U.S. universities and their surrounding communities.
Along with MSU, over 30 of the nations leading research universities, including the University of Michigan, Duke University, and the University of Alaska, will work collectively to bring 1 Gigabyte per second (gbps) ultra high-speed broadband internet service to research communities surrounding participating universities.
Gig.U, in large part, is a response to the nationwide fervor that resulted from the 2010 Google Fiber for Communities experimental project in which over 1,100 communities applied to be a recipient of 1- gbps broadband deployment by Google.
By aggregating the scale, influence, and impact of all the participating universities and communities, Gig.U hopes to entice private sector internet providers deploy 1-Gbps broadand to businesses and homeowners within participating communities - (1-gigabite would be roughly 100 times faster than the average broadband connection in Mid-Michigan).
The Greater Lansing Gig.U Executive Team was assembled by PCF to help provide the guidance and leadership necessary to move this initiative forward. Participating organizations and municipalities with representation on the Executive Team include:
- Capital Area IT Council
- City of East Lansing
- Connect Michigan
- Lansing Area Economic Partnership
- Lansing Economic Development Corporation
- Meridian Township Economic Development Corporation
- Michigan State University
- Prima Civitas Foundation
The Executive Team is now in conversations with local, statewide, and national private broadband providers about deploying further highspeed broadband networks in the mid-Michigan region. In the next phase of the initiative, the Greater Lansing Gig.U initiative will work with communities to remove “hard” and “soft” barriers in order to entice private providers to invest in expanding broadband networks. “Hard” barriers include regulatory, infrastructure and permitting hurdles. “Soft” barriers include area demand, community education and acceptance of ultra-highspeed broadband service. The Executive Team will also develop a definitive list of best practices for communities as well as look into the feasibility of launching a Gigibit per second pilot project within the region.
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For more information, please contact:
Tremaine Phillips