URBANA-CHAMPAIGN BIG BROADBAND IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS FORMED TO FACILITATE THE TRANSITION OF A FIBER-OPTIC BROADBAND NETWORK CONSTRUCTED BY THE CONSORTIUM (CITY OF CHAMPAIGN, CITY OF URBANA, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN), USING MOSTLY FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS, TO AN EXPERIENCED INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP) FOR THE OPERATIONAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT. URBANA-CHAMPAIGN'S LONGER TERM GOAL IS TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF, AS WELL AS EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT, THE BENEFITS OF BROADBAND INTERNET.