Yesterday, at the SHLB Coalition’s conference, Gig.U and Gigabit Squared announced the nation’s first gigabit network deployment fund. Get the details today with our guest, Mark Ansboury, CEO of Gigabit Squared.

Under this $200 million Gigabit Neighborhood Gateway Program, capital is available to support up to six select Gig.U member-sponsored projects. One of the desired outcomes of this project is that the gig networks funded will provide platforms for innovation, next generation application development, workforce development and job creation.

Will this fund open the gates to more creative investments in community broadband? Will Gigabit Squared’s action put pressure on Google to accelerate its Kansas City network project? Is this the beginning of a trend toward alternative financing for broadband as traditional government grant programs slow down.

Find out answers to these and other important questions. For background on Gig.U, listen to this Gigabit Nation broadcast with Gig.U founder Blair Levin.