How will gigabit change the Internet?
Why get involved?
What will you do with all these ideas?
Why are we doing this?
How do I win the big grant?
How do I submit an idea?
How can I help?
What is “gigabit” anyway?
Gigabit is a super-fast way that computers can connect to each other. This means that systems and applications that could never have existed before will be able to exist. What systems? That’s what this website is designed to find out.
How will gigabit change the Internet?
Gigabit is the next major frontier in broadband Internet. Think of it like the jump from dialup modem speeds to today’s broadband speeds. Only this time, it is today’s broadband speeds that will seem excruciatingly slow.
Currently, we measure Internet speeds in megabits. A gigabit is 1,000 megabits. That’s the difference we’re talking about.
Gigabit speeds will dramatically change the way we live, work, play and communicate. The only question is how. That’s what Gigabit City is all about.
Why get involved?
Here are five good reasons:
- Because speed counts
- Because you have great ideas
- Because you want to build your community
- Because $10k is real money
- Because it’s fun
What will you do with all these ideas?
We’ll showcase them here, publicize them and celebrate them. That’s it. The rest is up to you and your community.
Use them to learn (and teach) about gigabit. Use them for inspiration. Use them to show your community why it should invest in gigabit.
Above all, we hope these ideas help you go out and make things happen.
Why are we doing this?
We in the Philadelphia startup and creative communities are committed to gigabit with or without Google, as are many other communities around the world. These communities are teaming up because it’s much easier to make the case for gigabit together than to go it alone.
We believe that change happens from the grassroots, and we are committed to the principles of innovation, grassroots self-help and community building. As you will see from the list of contributors, the Gigabit Genius Grant represents the spirit of a lot of Philadelphians. We support growth and community locally but share in a larger spirit. There is nothing in this for any of us except for the excitement of seeing what “we” as a collective global community can create, think and do.
How do I win the big grant?
It’s a lot easier than you think. We’ll break it down for you:
- Have great ideas
- Share them on the contest website
- Get people to vote for them
- Become a finalist
- Submit details to our panel
- Win $10,000 (or more)
That’s it. Because we believe that the hard part shouldn’t be winning the money. It should be coming up with a great idea.
How do I submit an idea?
Visit our Google Moderator site and post a short summary of your idea. If you need more space, you can post details elsewhere on the web and include a link in your summary.
Here are some quick tips on how to post details elsewhere on the web. Don’t be intimidated, it’s pretty easy.
How can I help?
Aside from contributing ideas and spreading the word, if you’d like to add to the grant money we would be happy to hear from you. Send an email to Philly Startup Leaders at info@phillystartupleaders.com.
