Just days after unveiling a major upgrade to its own cyber connection, West Virginia University has joined 28 other leading research universities across the country to help bring ultra high-speed computer networks to the communities they serve.

GigU

WVU joins such other institutions at Case Western Reserve University, Duke University and University of Chicago as part of Gig.U, embracing a drive to bring faster connectivity to their surrounding communities. The goal is to help implement regional connectivity that will attract new high-tech companies that will test and commercialize WVU innovations produced by WVU researchers.

“We have taken fantastic steps forward in our on-campus connectivity that will greatly enhance our academic and research capabilities,” WVU President Jim Clements said. “It is now important that these high-speed networks extend into our region to accelerate the way innovation is tested and applied to our local, regional and national economies. Gig.U is a step in that direction.”

Earlier this week, WVU announced an upgrade to its on-campus core network that increased the network speed from 1 to 10 gigabits per second – a major step forward in WVU’s ability to conduct and advance research in national security, defense, nanoscale science, energy, health care, engineering, education and dozens of other research priority areas.

WVU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Curt M. Peterson said Gig.U’s success will help establish the Morgantown area as a hub for the next generation of computer networks that will help bolster American competitiveness.

Mridul Gautam, WVU’s associate vice president for research and economic development, who initiated the two-year effort that resulted in the recent on-campus connectivity upgrade, said the Gig.U initiative is not seeking government money, but represents a concerted effort to “reach out to telecommunications companies to gather ideas and suggestions in pursuit of the connectivity goals.”

Rehan Khan, WVU’s associate provost and chief information officer explained that Gig.U, more formally known as the University Community Next Generation Innovation Project, will issue a formal request for information to current and potential service providers to bring new approaches to university communities.

“Gig.U will then create a formal request for proposals leading to agreements to deploy networks not in decades but rather within the next several years,” Khan said. “Working together, these 29 universities can improve the economics of network deployment and operation.”

Gautam said the initiative is building upon foundations already in place, particularly last year’s Google Community Fiber initiative that resulted in WVU and Morgantown collaborating in the We Want a Gig campaign to land a Google-financed high-speed connection for the entire community.

“Google didn’t choose our proposal but the exercise created a new bond of understanding between the University and the region it serves regarding the need to work together on economic development initiatives like this new Gig.U project,” Gautam explained.

Jay Cole, WVU chief of staff who initiated the University’s involvement in Gig.U, stressed the importance of improved speed and connectivity to improve America’s economy and standing in the world of innovation.

Cole noted that a study by the World Economic Forum determined that while the U.S. ranked fifth in overall network “readiness,” it came in 30th in network bandwidth available to the general population.

“It is the general population we are seeking to serve and encourage to use University innovation to create new jobs and improve the economy,” Cole said. “That’s economic development and that, coupled with the research we execute, are significant pillars of WVU’s new strategic plan.”

Gig.U is being led nationally by Blair Levin, a fellow at the Aspen Institute who previously served as the staff director of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan.

In addition to WVU, other members of the Gig.U coalition include:

  • Arizona State University
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Colorado State University
  • Duke University
  • George Mason University
  • Howard University
  • Indiana University
  • Michigan State University
  • NC 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 Tech
  • Wake Forest University

-WVU –

gg/07/28/11

CONTACT: Gerrill Griffith; WVU Research Corp.
304.293.3743; Gerrill.Griffith@mail.wvu.edu

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