Part of a Series of State Case Study Virtual Workshops

In North Carolina, broadband is key to delivering opportunity and improved quality of life to residents in both rural and underserved urban areas.

MCNC, the operator of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) one of the nation’s oldest and largest Research and Education Networks (RENs), plays a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and bringing together partners to foster equitable digital equity in communities across North Carolina.

In this session, you will learn about and discuss:

• MCNC’s innovative approach to leveraging grants and partnerships with universities and regional network providers to create an expanding facilities-based service for research, education, and healthcare, while enabling commercial providers to expand in the area to provide enterprise and residential services.
• North Carolina’s partnership focus on connecting educational institutions and supporting robust digital learning environments.
• How we leverage broadband infrastructure to enhance healthcare in rural and underserved areas.

Panelists include:

• Tracy Doaks, Moderator, CEO & President, MCNC
• Nate Denny, North Carolina Deputy Secretary for Broadband & Digital Equity
• Tracy Futhey, Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Duke University
• Patrick Fleming, Chief Information Officer, NC Community Colleges
• Bo Coughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Fybe
• Tracy Olson, CEO, NC Telehealth Network
• Tommy Jacobson, COO, MCNC

Event Agenda:

The event begins at 2:00 pm ET.

• Welcome & Overview
• Brief Panelist Remarks
• Panel Discussion
• Open Q&A
• Closing Remarks

Our Event Series

This is part of our event series, A National Inflection Point: The Intersection of Research & Education Networks and Sustainable Digital Equity Initiatives.

Beginning in March of 2020, access to broadband became a social determinant of health, education, work, and economic security. The world realized that broadband Internet is a utility as essential as electricity and potable water.

While the federal government and many states have made a wise decision to provide billions in capital funding to achieve broadband equity, the tough part will be sustaining and maintaining (and, ideally evolving) these infrastructures over the next 5, 10, or 20 years.

With money going directly to states, territories, and indigenous Tribes, there are now 60 states and territories and 574 Tribal Nations, each organizing its own plan to implement broadband access and adoption in unique cultural, geographic, and demographic areas. This series will help you learn from some of the most progressive.