North Dakota becomes first state in the nation to deliver one-gigabit service to all schools.
BISMARCK, N.D., AUG. 21, 2019 – DCN (Dakota Carrier Network) completed all one-gigabit internet circuits to K-12 schools on July 23, 2019, positioning North Dakota as the first state in the nation to achieve this milestone according to Gov. Doug Burgum’s office. The upgrade was completed in collaboration with the North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD) and DCN’s 14 owner companies.
Students and teachers will discover the increased speeds allow internet traffic over STAGEnet, the state’s network, to travel faster, ensuring a higher quality in-classroom experience while they use cloud-based applications or stream online video content.
“DCN has been keeping North Dakota’s public schools connected since 2000 and we know that reliable, fast broadband connectivity is key to keeping our children competitive in our increasingly digital world,” said Seth Arndorfer, DCN CEO. “DCN and our owners continuously invest in our collective fiber network and broadband services to ensure schools, hospitals, homes and businesses across the state have access to the best internet service possible, whether they live in a metro area or one of our many rural communities. We’re proud to take this next step in increasing the speed of connectivity for students across the state.”
Gov. Burgum announced the state’s plans to extend its public-private partnership with DCN to provide one-gigabit internet access to all K-12 schools, colleges and universities during a press conference in March 2018 at the North Dakota State Capitol.
“North Dakota already ranks high nationally in terms of network connectivity for the K-12 community, and these significant yet cost-neutral upgrades will ensure our schools have the bandwidth and speed they need to prepare students for a 21st century economy impacted by rapid technological change,” Burgum said. “State and local taxpayers will benefit through a network that makes their governments more efficient and responsive to the communities and citizens they serve.”
Government agencies are also slated to receive one-gigabit internet access as part of the upgrade, which is expected to be completed by the end of August.
