UMMC, state research to get big tech boost | Schools

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Mississippi research universities and facilities will soon be better able to compete in academics and for funding with a new broadband network.

Gov. Haley Barbour announced Wednesday the creation of  the Mississippi research network, or MissiON -- a $16 million expanded broadband technology system.

The unique network has 20 times the current capacity and will stretch into all regions of the state. It will place Mississippi on an even playing field with neighboring states, according to a news release.

The project -- created in collaboration with AT&T -- is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Several institutions in the Jackson area will benefit from the new technology.

The network will serve the Mississippi Research Consortium – made up of the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson State University; the University of Mississippi Medical Center; the Mississippi Department of Information Technology; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and the Stennis Space Center.

Gov. Barbour said:

"This network will transform our universities' research capabilities and academic competitiveness on a global scale."

"I thank AT&T, the members of the Consortium, our state ITS staff and other partners for making this project a reality. This will have tremendous impact on Mississippi. Researchers will be able to share massive amounts of complex data quickly, enhancing their work in a variety of areas from medicine to manufacturing. This is work that often leads to the creation of new companies and jobs for Mississippians."

The Mississippi Research Network will provide the universities with 20 times the broadband capacity currently in use, drastically improving the research universities' capacity to quickly crunch data and share information between campuses, according to the release.

The network will allow universities to aggressively pursue grant opportunities to support academic research.

See the impact of Mission on universities and other research partners here.