DURHAM – Research Triangle Park-based MCNC, a nonprofit that operates state-wide broadband infrastructure, is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN).

MCNC staff, partners and supporters will join at the Durham Convention Center on Wednesday and Thursday to honor NCREN’s impact in building North Carolina’s broadband ecosystem over more than three decades.

The fiber-based network spans over 2,600 miles across the state, providing connections to K-12 schools, community colleges, universities and municipal sites, research and healthcare institutions, libraries and public safety offices.

MCNC (or the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina) first started in 1980 with funding from the NC General Assembly under then-Governor Jim Hunt. The NCREN launched in 1985 as a microwave system linking NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, NC A&T and the Research Triangle Institute. The project was the first two-way interactive system of its kind in the U.S.

Last year, MCNC and Duke University teamed up to build a 110-mile ring to supply NCREN connections around the Triangle. Access to the fiber-optic network opened in February.

NCREN also recently expanded its fiber footprint even further in Greene, Harnett, Johnston and Wayne counties with the help of a $1.3 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

MCNC to expand fiber network in Greene, Harnett, Johnston, Wayne counties

MCNC begins offering access to 110-mile fiber optic ring across Triangle

This week’s NCREN Community Day features keynotes and presentations covering broadband communications and other technologies such as CRISPR, Esports and cloud services.

Before the main event begins on Wednesday, the audience can attend one of two pre-conference learning labs on cybersecurity and leading multi-generational teams.

The keynote speakers are NC State Food Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Professor Rodolphe Barrangou and NC Broadband Infrastructure Office Director Jeff Sural.

The agenda also includes talks on connectivity in the K-12 environment, backup communication networks (or “SecondNets”), UNC Greensboro’s cloud infrastructure, UNC Wilmington’s hurricane recovery strategy, leveraging regional and national resources, and more topics of interest.

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