A consortium composed of the cities of Urbana and Champaign and the University of Illinois submitted in August three related proposals to the federal government applying for stimulus funding to improve broadband Internet access in the area.

The granting agencies notified local organizers Dec. 8 that the infrastructure proposal made it to the final round of the application process.  So the area’s proposed network, called Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband, or UC2B, is now in a race against time to answer all the government’s questions and see if stimulus funding will come through. Still, those involved with the proposed network and those who may benefit from it could have their hopes of receiving funding elevated or shattered at any given time.

But why does Urbana-Champaign need “big broadband” Internet service in the first place? How will the proposed network connect homes and community institutions? How will this network be paid for and governed? How does the technology work and what does this all mean?

Watch, listen and read on for answers to these questions and more, straight from proposal organizers and community members whose access to the Internet and technology may improve if UC2B receives federal funding.