From UNC Asheville:

Gigabit Vision: UNC Asheville Undergraduate Researchers Develop Regional Vision Profile

Gigabit internet might be on the horizon for Western North Carolina, thanks to a multi-municipal coalition working since February to collaborate on expanding broadband internet access. Its vision and potential impact became a little clearer this week, as undergraduate researchers from UNC Asheville and a graduate researcher from Lenoir-Rhyne shared the regional vision profile, resulting from more than 400 surveys distributed by area universities.

“The most interesting part of the research has been the interconnectedness through sectors,” said UNC Asheville senior Darby McKnight, who is majoring in economics and management. She was joined by senior atmospheric sciences and math major William Clark, and his sister Colleen Clark at Lenoir-Rhyne. Senior economics and political science major Matt Ketcham brought his expertise to the team, sharing a report of their work at the West Next Generation meeting on December 12, just days before commencement.

The research team looked at three sectors: education and libraries, health care, and commercial and industrial, emphasizing how interconnectivity spurs innovation. That interconnectedness extended through the audience, which included representatives from the six municipalities (Asheville, Laurel Park, Biltmore Forest, Waynesville, Fletcher and Hendersonville) involved in the project, and many other area leaders. UNC Asheville also partners on the project, which is led by Land of Sky Regional Council, a community-based economic development agency that serves the western counties. Together, the WestNGN (West Next Generation Network) initiative aims to lower the cost of expanding high-speed fiber optic networks.

“Can we make it happen faster and can we use it as a competitive advantage?” asked event and initiative organizer Bill Sederburg.

Project partners have agreed to a memorandum of understanding, committed to finance the initial work, and hired a project manager. As a next step they will prepare a request for proposals for a broadband provider to serve the area with high-speed gigabit service. 

“You can see what a game changer this infrastructure can be for Western North Carolina,” said local business leader Janice Brumit at the conclusion of the meeting.

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