Universities still reviewing hyper-speed Internet

The North Carolina Next Generation Network project is being billed as the fastest lane yet on the information superhighway. However, the process for launching the ultra-high speed Internet service in Winston-Salem and the Triangle appears to be moving along at a dial-up modem pace.

The goal had been securing an Internet service provider by fall, which would design, build, operate and own the network, and have the network operational by mid-2014. “NCNNG is reviewing the proposals,” Eric Tomlinson, president of Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, said. “It’s a crucial opportunity/need.” Wake Forest University, along with Duke University, NC State University and UNC Chapel Hill, are establishing the network as part of the GiG.U initiative, which involves 37 universities nationwide. An advantage Winston-Salem has is that the potential network would be built on part of the high-tech foundation provided since 2001 by Winston-Net, a partnership of local governments, academic institutions and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. The network is a way to allow more people to have access to cloud technology at an affordable price, said Rick Matthews, an associate provost for technology and information systems at Wake Forest. The goal is providing wireless service, up to 100 times faster than typically available, at a potential cost of $70 to $100 a month. “It’s a potential driver for the academic and scientific sides of the university, including potentially giving us an advantage in recruiting more technology and life-sciences companies if it is done in a relative quick period of time,” Tomlinson said. The GiG.U initiative has drawn more than $200 million in private investment funding. There are 18 communities nationwide involved in the first phase.