Colleges Join Plan for Faster Computer Networks (Updated)

A coalition of 28 American universities is throwing its weight behind a plan to build ultra-high-speed computer networks — with Internet service several hundred times faster than what is now commercially available — in the communities surrounding the participating colleges. The project, which is named GigU and will be announced on July 27, is meant to draw high-tech startups in fields like health care, energy and telecommunications to the areas near the universities, many of which are in the Midwest or outside of major cities.

These zones would ideally function as hubs for building a new generation of faster computer networks, which could make the United States more competitive internationally. For now the plan is a work in progress, with the universities reaching out to telecommunications companies for suggestions and to corporations and nonprofits for business ideas. The institutions involved include Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Howard University, Duke University, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington and the University of Chicago. ”We’re not asking for government money,” said Blair Levin, a fellow at the Aspen Institute who is heading the project. “We believe the right approach is to have the private sector fund the networks.”

Additional coverage:

29 universities seek high-speed networks (AP)
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-07-27-universities-high-speed-int...

Universities launch high-speed network project (The Hill)
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/173947-universities-...

Gig U project seeks university/ carrier collaboration to deploy ultra-high-speed networks (Connected Planet)
http://connectedplanetonline.com/independent/news/GigU-project-seeks-uni...

Statement -- FCC Commissioner Copps
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-308690A1.pdf

Statement -- FCC Commissioner Clyburn
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-308660A1.pdf

City, MU join group seeking ultrafast Internet (Columbia Tribune)
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/jul/27/city-mu-join-group-seeki...

UF joins in effort to expand high-speed Internet beyond campus (Gainesville Sun)
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110727/ARTICLES/110729596/1003/NEWS

ASU joins national Gig. U effort to boost economic growth (Phoenix Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2011/07/29/asu-joins-national-gi...

CSU, Fort Collins join ‘Gig.U’ initiative for ultra-high-speed networks (DenverBusiness Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/07/27/csu-fort-collins-join-...

WVU Joins Major Research Universities to Create Ultra-High-Speed Regional Networks (WVNS)
http://www.cbs59.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=104264

Universities launch high-speed network project (The Hill)
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/173947-universities-...

Gig U Hopes to Seed Development With Ultra-Speedy Campus Networks (TechNewsWorld)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Gig-U-Hopes-to-Seed-Development-With-...

Gig.U Aims To Boost U.S. Broadband Standings, Offerings (Communications Technology)
http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/thewire/Gig-U-Aims-To-Boost-U-S-Broadban...

Mizzou, 28 Universities Seek High-speed Networks (Associated Press)
http://www.thestreet.com/story/11201014/1/mizzou-28-universities-seek-hi...

Gig.U aims to bring 1Gbps fiber to campus communities (NetworkWorld)
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/072811-gigu.html

Gig.U to expand high-speed broadband in university towns (CivSource)
http://civsourceonline.com/2011/07/28/gig-u-to-expand-high-speed-broadba...

Gig. U hopes to bring Gigabit networks and straight cash, homey, to university communities (engadget)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/gig-u-hopes-to-bring-gigabit-networks...

Nation's Universities Rally To Open High-Speed Networks in Their Towns (Campus Technology)
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/07/29/nations-universities-ral...