Southern Illinois Gets Broadband Boost

Illinois officials will invest $1.5 million to build what Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL) calls an “ultra-high-speed” broadband network in southern Illinois.

Officials said the deal among Frontier North Incorporated, the city of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University and Connect SI will create a gigabit network used by residents, businesses and other organizations. The $1.5 million is coming from Gov Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The gigabit network is up to 100 times faster than speeds currently available. Gov Quinn says it will help recruit news business to the region and enable SIU’s “scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs to connect globally.”