(A) For purposes of this chapter, the South Carolina LightRail is defined as a communication grid network where the South Carolina academic institutions that are members of the South Carolina LightRail Consortium, and private organizations and entities as permitted by subsection (C) of this section tap into facilities-based fiber optic including, the National Lambda Rail, Internet2, TeraGrid, and other regional and national networks which carry high volumes of data at high speed allowing faculty members at participating institutions in different locations to collaborate in real time.

(B) The South Carolina LightRail is to be used as an academic network for the use of the South Carolina academic institutions that are members of the South Carolina LightRail Consortium for the exchange of information directly related to their missions and must not carry commercial traffic, commercial internet traffic, or K-12 traffic originated in South Carolina. Occasional and incidental use of the network by persons appropriately granted access to the network for purposes that are not directly related to the missions of the participating academic institutions is not considered a violation of this subsection.

(C) Private organizations and entities may be provided access to the network only through formal documented partnerships with one or more of the South Carolina academic institutions that are members of the South Carolina LightRail Consortium that are directly related to the missions of the partnering institutions. This access must be consistent with guidelines and procedures approved by the consortium board. These guidelines and procedures, at a minimum, shall comply with the provisions of § 59-151-115.