Internet2, LambdaRail want to expand their community presence

Internet2 and National LambdaRail have always been the household name in network connectivity for research and education networks, but the two organizations have aspirations to extend high speed connectivity to libraries, hospitals, and public safety as well.

Joined by 25 other R&E and national networking providers, Internet2 and Lambda Rail put their proposal to build a "Unified Community Anchor Network" on the table as a response to the FCC's proposed National Broadband Plan.

Arguing that previous efforts to extend broadband connectivity to anchor organizations have been a failure, the groups wrote in the filing that "A UCAN does not need to be created--it needs to be completed."   

While the UCAN proposal may sound like another "middle mile" connectivity project proposal, the groups have an even bigger goal: expanding the e-rate program, which subsidizes data connectivity for schools and libraries. In addition, the proposal argues that Congress should develop a second stimulus bill for the National Broadband Plan.

For more:
- see the release here
- Connected Planet also has this article