The first of its kind report last week documenting the economic impact of gigabit Internet on communities where the service is offered shows what the Triangle might expect from the forthcoming North Carolina Next Generation Network from AT&T and other providers. A wide range of industry experts will discuss what's coming at the "Fiber Transforms the Triangle" conference at SAS on Oct. 13.
Gigabit Internet is some 100 times faster than standard cable and other Internet access options.
The report from the Fiber to the Home Council Americas, or FTTH, notes: "Looking at 14 communities in nine states, we conclude that next generation broadband is likely to have a substantial impact on economic output and, consequently, consumer welfare."
"Fiber Transforms the Triangle" Event
WRAL TechWire is hosting a conference in partnership with host SAS and sponsors AT&T and MCNC to discuss what these fast networks will mean.
Event registration information is available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wral-techwire-executive-exchange-fiber-transforms-the-triangle-tickets-12640352635
"These gains are likely due to numerous factors, including the direct effect of infrastructure investment and increased expenditures, as well as early shifts in economic activity (e.g., job creation and occupational changes) and productivity gains," the report says.
"For example, recent reporting on gigabit broadband service in Chattanooga, Tennessee has attributed 1,000 new jobs, increased investment, and “a new population of computer programmers, entrepreneurs and investors” to gigabit broadband.8 As more communities adopt gigabit broadband and the economy adapts to this new technology, economists will be able to extend the research on the economic impact of gigabit broadband."
Speaker Lineup
Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T North Carolina and a big advocate of broadband, and Pat Moody, CEO of MCNC which built North Carolina's first coast-to-mountains fiber network will be among the speakers. AT&T also is the provider for the emerging North Carolina Next Generation Network.
Keith Collins, chief information officer at SAS, is among the featured speakers.
The half-day is focused on how the arrival of gigabit Internet access to homes and small businesses along with fiber-optic networks for larger enterprises and network infrastructure will transform the way we live, work, learn and play.
“Fiber Transforms the Triangle,” a WRAL TechWire Executive Exchange event, is being hosted by SAS. SAS, the world's largest privately held software company, was one of the first firms to embrace the Internet's potential.
Other executives from MCNC, AT&T as well as the City of Wilson, NeoNova, Frontier Communications, the City of Cary and the North Carolina Next Generation Network also will be speaking and taking part in panel discussions.
More participants will be announced shortly.
Blair LevinBlair Levin, former chief of staff at the Federal Communications Commission and a recognized international authority on broadband networks, will be the keynote speaker. Collins will make introductory remarks and introduce Levin.
How to get tickets
Current WRAL TechWire Insider annual subscribers were sent a promotional code via email on Aug. 18 to register without charge. If you did not receive that email, please contact Marketing@WRAL.com to receive your code. Those who register online for this event at the general admission $49 rate will receive a code via email for an annual WRAL TechWire Insider subscription.
You can attend this high-powered event for the price of $49.
The ticket makes you an annual subscriber to WRAL TechWire, the only news site in the Triangle focused exclusively on high-tech, life science, venture capital and fund raising, economic development and startups. From the newest companies to global players such as Red Hat, SAS, Lenovo, Quintiles, GSK, Cree and IBM, WRAL TechWire publishes exclusive and comprehensive content every business day.
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