Corning Cable Systems LLC, part of Corning Incorporated's Telecommunications segment, will supply product and design assistance to Case Western Reserve University and its partners in an initiative to test the power of super-high-speed Internet access to change people's lives in inner-city neighborhoods.
Corning Cable Systems' FlexNAP terminal distribution system will provide design flexibility to Case Western Reserve University's FTTH network. The system helps deploy optical fiber in outside-plant distribution networks at speeds faster than traditional field installations, says Corning Cable Systems. Compatible with both aerial and below-ground applications, the cable and network access points are tested and shipped as a complete distribution cable/terminal system.
"Corning has a long history of innovation, and we are proud to be part of this ground-breaking project," says Mike Genovese, Corning Cable Systems senior vice president and managing director, Americas. "Our technology and design expertise help ensure the project will provide state-of-the-art broadband in a seamless, reliable, and cost-efficient manner. It is important that the network supporting the project be imperceptible so the usage and true value of FTTH technology can be accurately measured."
The Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at the Mandel School of Applied Social Science at Case estimates that as many as 72% of the households in and around the University in the city of Cleveland have no Internet access. Traditional use of the Internet, however, is the least of their problems, as many families fall well below the definition of poverty.
"We believe that access to the Internet at the international gold standard of one Gigabit/sec, coupled with integrated training and support, can change people's lives for the better," says Case Western Reserve University vice president for information technology services Lev Gonick. "Collaborating with more than 40 community participants, we intend to launch a university-sponsored research program to bring health-care services, safety and security services, energy use and management support, and science education initiatives to our community in ways that will, potentially, be transformative. And we will study the outcomes in order to make this program one that can be replicated around the country and around the world."
Other organizations joining Case in the initiative include University Hospitals, The Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Hospital System, the City of Cleveland, OneCommunity, the Great Lakes Science Center, and a coalition of public safety forces. At full capacity, the program seeks to connect more than 25,000 residents of the city.
"Sustainable use and adoption of super-high-speed Internet connectivity in our neighborhoods is about basic human needs," Gonick says. "If broadband doesn't speak to the urgent needs around public and personal safety, health and wellness, and a wide range of educational initiatives, then Internet access will remain largely irrelevant to a large segment of our population. We are aiming high with this initiative and we are very much looking forward to working with Corning and benefiting from their expertise."