CENIC's Next Generation Broadband Initiative Can Speed Broadband Deployment Nationally.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CYPRESS, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2004

The Bush Administration's recommendations to streamline government procedures for "rights-of way" across federal lands is an important step in removing one barrier to deploying broadband technology. Moreover, it is one example of the role of policy makers to facilitate next generation broadband deployment as cited in the CENIC report, One Gigabit or Bust(TM) Initiative: A Broadband Vision for California.

The President's national goal of affordable access to broadband technology by 2007 supports CENIC's vision of one gigabit to every home, school and business in California by the end of the decade. One gigabit is 1,000 times faster than today's DSL or cable technologies. And, the findings of the interagency working group that broadband improves productivity and promotes job producing economic growth parallels the findings of the CENIC study, i.e., that California is on the threshold of a multibillion-dollar opportunity. A $376-billion upside in gross state product (GSP) by 2010 is possible with the implementation of a focused One Gigabit or Bust broadband initiative. Moreover, two million new jobs could be created. The study and more information about the initiative are available at http://www.cenic.org/GB/index.html.

In the creative spirit and the bottoms-up philosophy that created the Internet, CENIC (a non-profit) has formed the One Gigabit or Bust Roundtable which brings together the interests of research, education, commerce, state and local government and the general public to address the issues surrounding the implementation of robust end-to-end broadband capabilities to every education institution, business and home in California.

"The President's remarks of the value of broadband and the capabilities it enables are right on," noted Susan Estrada, executive director, One Gigabit or Bust(TM) Initiative. She continued, "Our Roundtable Task Forces are tackling some of the very challenges that President Bush cites and are working hard at identifying the barriers and potential solutions for various technologies that will speed next-generation broadband deployment. We have a range of geographical and economic issues within this state; and anticipate that our solutions will help other regions in the nation develop their own strategies for broadband deployment. We encourage all who have a stake in next-generation broadband to participate in our Roundtable activities."

About CENIC

CENIC is a not-for-profit corporation serving the California Institute of Technology, California State University, Stanford University, University of California, University of Southern California, California Community Colleges and the statewide K-12 school system. CENIC's mission is to facilitate and coordinate the development, deployment and operation of a set of robust multi-tiered advanced network services for this research and education community. More information about CENIC can be found at www.cenic.org.