Internet speeds could get extremely fast for 29 communities in the US if a newly announced plan is successful. The New York Times reports that 29 colleges and universities are teaming up for a new project called Gig.U. The idea is that the schools will help to provide 1 Gbps Internet speeds not just to the colleges but the towns and cities that surround the schools as well. Among the schools that are a part of the Gig.U project are Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Howard University, Duke University, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington, the University of Chicago and George Mason University.
The idea is that by offering ultra-fast Internet speeds, the universities and their communities will become more attractive to high tech businesses. In a case study, three startup businesses began operating soon after Case Western in Cleveland, Ohio set up fast internet speeds just outside their school. The project is still in its early stages with the schools planning to ask for help from various telecommunication companies. They also plan to ask other businesses and nonprofits for ideas. Gig.U will not be using any government money to help with the project.
Offering 1 Gpbs Internet speeds is slowly starting to gain traction here in the US. As we reported earlier this week, Google has started the process of building a network that will bring ultra high speed Internet access to the citizens of Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. The project is scheduled to launch in early 2012.
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