North Dakota’s state Internet service is undergoing a huge upgrade.
The carrier – Dakota Carrier Network – will be upgrading "StageNET" to a 100-gigabit network, to provide faster Internet services to K-12 schools and state government.
DCN CEO Seth Arndorfer said students and teachers are going to notice major improvements in what they can do on-line – and how fast they can do it.
"They can use high-definition video for distance education," Arndorfer said. "They can do research. They can download software upgrades. They can take tests, and access cloud-based curriculum. All real time, without impacting their fellow student or teacher."
Gov. Doug Burgum said the upgrade puts North Dakota on the leading edge of Internet connectivity and speed.
"If we're going to be on the leading edge of the 21st Century, we have to have the best interconnectivity for education and industry," Burgum said. "It's not just every school and every community -- we have to think about connecting that last mile."
DCN says the plan is to complete the upgrade by he fall of 2019.
