Hyde Park residents may get a chance to test out broadband speeds 1,000 times faster than their current networks. As part of the University Community Next Generation Innovation Project—or Gig.U, as it’s called—the University of Chicago and its surrounding communities have teamed up to participate in a country-wide collaboration with over 30 universities and 50 companies.
The goal of this collaboration is to deploy the next generation of networks and services in the United States, said Blair Levin, Director of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan, at the Gig.U RFI Information Session sponsored by the University of Chicago on Monday, Sept. 26. “We all agree we could advance that mission by creating a critical mass of test-bed communities with world-leading networks,” he said.
Faster network speeds = new opportunities
Imagine being able to download hi-def movies in less than a minute! But faster download speeds have greater implications for South Side communities. Oren Sreenby, Senior Director of Emerging Technologies and Communications for IT Services, said what makes Gig.U compelling for the University is how it can help propel economic development in Hyde Park and many of its surrounding communities, including Kenwood, Woodlawn, Washington Park, and Oakland.
Goodbye DSL, hello gigabit
Gig.U will use RFI responses to engage in discussions with private companies offering strategies to increase the availability of gigabit networks.
"This is very exciting news,” said Hyde Park resident George Yates, LAB’08. “The University has always worked to better Hyde Park, and it makes sense for them to lead the way in advancing the area technologically. I'm looking forward to leaving DSL behind."