Austin’s newest title: Smart Gigabit Community

Austin continues to receive recognition as a tech-forward city, this time being selected as a Smart Gigabit Community by self-described “public-private nonprofit” US Ignite. Austin, along with 14 other selected cities, will be tasked with “developing and deploying next-generation internet technologies to better serve residents”; more specifically, developing “a total of 2 gigabit applications or gigabit public services annually that will be adaptable to other members.” US Ignite, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and supported by corporations such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Mozilla, said it will assist the cities by providing ideas, education and resources. Mayor Steve Adler seemed to be very excited about the designation and the opportunities it provides, stating, “This program, and the applications that result from it, will change the way we receive health care, educate our children, keep our community safe and increase energy efficiency.”