Broadband barrier

[Commentary] It is encouraging news that GRUCom and the University of Florida are teaming up to provide ultahigh-speed broadband service to UF's Innovation Square and its surrounding Innovation District. For all of Gainesville's potential to capitalize on the knowledge economy, the limitations of broadband service here provide a very real barrier that will require considerable public and private investment and collaboration to overcome. The so-called Gig.U initiative is aimed at increasing broadband service in university communities like ours. And in that regard, the GRUCom/UF broadband initiative is a good start. Gainesville's innovation economy already ranges beyond Innovation Square. If Gainesville is to prosper, ultra fast and reliable broadband must follow where innovation leads.