US Ignite Launches Smart Gigabit Communities Initiative

Fifteen communities have joined together as part of a US Ignite Smart Gigabit Communities initiative. The goal is to create a national network of Smart Gigabit Communities that will leverage next-generation Internet and Smart City technologies to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and economic conditions. US Ignite is providing the 15 participating communities with relevant information, education and resources for funding and deployment in order to help realize the new program’s goals.

With US Ignite’s help, each community is to develop two gigabit network applications or public services that address community needs and issues and sha.re them among Smart Gigabit Communities members. US Ignite staff will assist the communities in deploying ultra-fast, low-latency networks with ‘locovore’ – local or edge cloud computing and storage – capabilities. US Ignite expects the gigabit network applications and public services to be ¨highly interactive¨ and ¨visually immersive¨ and capable of providing experiences not possible on today’s commercial Internet.

Communities participating in US Ignite’s new program include:

• Burlington, VT
• Chattanooga and Jackson, TN
• Cleveland, OH
• Flint, MI
• Kansas City, KS and MO
• Madison, WI
• North Carolina Next Generation Network (NCNGN)
• Richardson, TX
• Utah Wasatch Front cities including Salt Lake City and Provo, UT
• Lafayette, LA
• Urbana-Champaign, IL
• Austin, TX