On Thursday, December 13th, we were able to announce the second participant in our Gigabit Neighborhood Gateway Program. Since in announced the program in May alongside Gig.U, Gigabit Squared has announced Chicago and now Seattle will be part of this groundbreaking 21st century broadband project.
Seattle’s sponsor in this endeavor was the University of Washington. Seattle is lucky to have such a strong community partner and advocate.
And so we gathered at the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering at UW, where Ed Lazowska, Bill and Melinda Gates Professor & Chair, kicked off the event of Computer Science talking about the “landmark day” for Seattle.
Next up, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn talked a bit about the nuts and bolts of what this means to Seattle ans his vision. I want to commend Mayor McGinn and his fine staff for their foresight. They will surely show the world how to innovate! Seattle’s businesses and citizens have them to thank for the tools we plan to bring to bear to help compete in today’s global digital economy.
The Executive Director of Gig.U and our friend Blair Levin did us the honor of attending as well. It was Blair’s vision not only for this program, but in crafting the National Broadband Plan that made this a momentous occasion for us all. He congratulated Seattle on behalf of all of Gig.U member institutions, world-class research universities.
And then came my turn… my least favorite part of the event as I so enjoyed hearing from everyone else. Nonetheless, it was my task to try and do what I always do, explain the “so what” of gigabit broadband. We may all know that faster is better, promotes innovation… but what could that look like?
What we’re doing in Seattle starts with the building of demonstration fiber project in 12 Seattle neighborhoods. What could the availability of Gigabit Internet mean for Seattle?
It means better education as we break down traditional classroom walls with digital learning tools.
It means higher quality healthcare as we will be able to provide not only telemedicine to the homes of citizens, but allow Seattle’s physicians to digitally consult with specialists all over the world.
This means making health and wellness services available anywhere, aging in place possible and improving recovery times at home instead of in the hospital. Creating a healthier Seattle.
It means opportunities to improve the City’s public safety services as our first responders can “serve and protect” more effectively armed with digital tools and information.
And it means that businesses, the largest in the City, as well as home based businesses will have the Internet speeds they need to collaborate, innovate, and create the products and services of tomorrow – right here in Seattle.
We are looking forward to taking this journey with the mayor’s office, Seattle’s citizens, organizations, and businesses as we all work together to make the Emerald city a “city of Tomorrow.” Keep coming back to www.gigabitseattle.com for updates, and if you are interested in service, make sure you signup at www.gigabitseattle.com/signup.
[...] the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] across the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] across the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] across the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] across the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] across the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] across the United States are racing to meet Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are working with a company called Gigabit Squared and a project called Gig.U to [...]
[...] opposite a United States are racing to accommodate Genachowski’s “Gigabit City Challenge.” Seattle and Chicago are operative with a association called Gigabit Squared and a plan called Gig.U to [...]