City of Fort Collins and Colorado State University join University Community in Gig.U Effort for Next Generation Network-Based Innovation

A broad-based group of 29 universities and communities across the country today launched Gig.U: The University Community Next Generation Innovation Project. Drawing on America’s rich history of community-led innovation in research and entrepreneurship, Gig.U seeks to accelerate the deployment of ultra high-speed networks to leading U.S. universities and their surrounding communities. Improvements to these networks drive economic growth and stimulate a new generation of innovations addressing critical needs, such as health care and education.

“America’s global leadership in many areas results from innovations born in university communities,” said Patrick J. Burns, dean of Libraries and vice president for Information Technology at Colorado State University. “We can protect, and grow, that leadership– at a time our country needs it most – by accelerating the deployment of next generation broadband networks in those areas rich with our most fertile ideas.”

University communities increasingly depend on high-speed networks to educate, collaborate and share large amounts of information instantaneously. Research in real time has fueled the growth of the global information economy, yet today’s market for bandwidth services does not address the particular needs of university communities. Gig.U’s mission is to create a favorable climate for next generation network test-beds and trigger a new generation of high-speed networking offerings for these communities.

“Colorado State University has been at the forefront in pursuing bold, entrepreneurial partnerships to advance technological access on campus and off,” said CSU President Tony Frank. “In recent years, we’ve collaborated to create a distance-learning network for eastern Colorado’s rural schools and to pioneer new, affordable business systems for higher education nationwide. Our participation in Gig. U. is a logical next step that will significantly benefit our campus and the surrounding region—economically and technologically—while also advancing U.S. competitiveness and innovation.”

“Gig.U members came together to address our unique connectivity gap,” said Lev Gonick, chief information officer and vice president of Information Technology Services at Case Western Reserve University, a Gig.U member. “We intimately understand that for American research institutions to continue to provide leadership in areas important to U.S. competitiveness, we have to act to improve the market opportunity for upgrading to gigabit networks in our university communities. We believe a small amount of investment can yield big returns for the American economy and our society.”

“Colorado State University has always been extremely progressive in networking and related technologies, and this initiative continues and extends that tradition,” said Burns. “We are well into the Age of Information, and the Gig.U initiative is essential to enable and sustain our economic and intellectual competitiveness in Colorado and worldwide.”

Gig.U universities and their surrounding communities have the most favorable conditions for a market-based, ultra high-speed broadband strategy, including dense populations and high demand from institutions and residential customers. These communities have long served as partners and test-beds for advances in market segments ranging from healthcare and education to technology and energy. Through an open Request for Information (RFI) process, Gig.U will gather data on these specific segments with an intent to inform high-speed service providers of new implementation approaches, and to enable competition to bring high-speed networks to research communities. The group aims for the RFI process translating into tailored Requests for Proposals for deploying cutting edge networking technology to campuses and communities in a matter of years, not decades.

“The City of Fort Collins, Colorado State University, and Platte River Power Authority have a long history of working together for the betterment of our community,” said Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry. “We’re proud to be a part of this initiative that advocates for the high-speed connectivity necessary for economic prosperity. This partnership is yet another example of the City of Fort Collins’ commitment to fostering innovation, research and development.”

Gig.U released the attached open letter explaining its purpose and inviting others to join in the effort. The letter stresses, “we believe that if our communities can have access to next generation networks, we can unlock a new generation of opportunities.”

The membership of Gig.U includes:

Arizona State University
Case Western Reserve University
Colorado State University
Duke University
George Mason University
Howard University
Indiana University
Michigan State University
North Carolina State University
Penn State University
University of Alaska
University of Chicago
University of Florida
University of Hawaii
University of Illinois
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Maryland
University of Michigan
University of Missouri
University of Montana
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Wake Forest University
West Virginia University

Gig.U originated at the Aspen Institute and will be directed by Blair Levin, a fellow at the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program and formerly the Executive Director of the National Broadband Plan.

For further information on the RFI, contact Elise Kohn, program director at ekohn@gig-u.org, (202) 706-7612 or visit the website www.gig-u.org.

About The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners. For more information, please visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
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