The next best thing; Internet2 project bringing businesses on board - for a price.

Don't let the name fool you. An Ann Arbor-based project called Internet2 has no intention of being a sequel to the original.

What it does intend, however, is to change the way organizations do business by making the current Internet better: a system where anyone, anywhere can be linked in real time using superfast connections, hardware and technology.

The downside?

Becoming part of the Internet2 network today is expensive - it could cost some companies as much as $500,000 annually in dues and equipment upgrades.

Whether an organization should join comes down to deciding between getting in early at a higher price or lagging behind to save money today.

``Internet2 fills a very important niche in the world of information technology,'' said Doug Van Houweling, CEO of the University Corp. for Advanced Internet Development, a nonprofit consortium that includes university members working with corporate and affiliate members for networking development.

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