Colleges join plan for faster computer networks

The Gig.U project, which a group of 29 American universities launched July 27, was the subject of a recent New York Times "Science" article.

The project aims to bring ultra-high-speed computer networking to U.S. universities and their surrounding communities. It 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," writes John Markoff. "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."

Emphasizing the need for network-based innovation, Markoff writes: "Although the United States pioneered computer networks from the 1960s through the ’90s, in recent years it has fallen behind other nations in deploying and improving network technology. A recent study by the World Economic Forum found that while the United States ranked fifth in overall network 'readiness' — a broad index comparing countries in the digital era — it came in 30th in network bandwidth available to the population."

Access complete article below.

Read the ASU News story: ASU helps launch Gig.U for next-gen computer networking