Communities Across the Nation Vie for Google Fiber
Print
Email
At least 100 towns and cities around the country are competing for Google fiber: "an advanced data network capable of downloading Internet data at one billion bits per second," reports The Boston Globe. To put the numbers in perspective, this is dozens of times faster than what is currently offered through cable providers.
The initiative, called Google Fiber for Communities," is meant to show the country that the Internet giant can break new ground in speed, and to see how users will take advantage of the zoom zoom. Prices will be competitive, but beyond that, Google is hoping their entrance into the Internet provider game will encourage others to upgrade their networks.
Google spokesman Dan Martin told the Globe that the selection could be several locations, and that they would like to include a diverse range of communities.
So what are cities and towns doing to get the attention of Google? In the Bay State, Shrewsbury posted a 30-second clip on YouTube. Boston, Worcester and Quincy are competing, too, with Facebook pages and polished pitches.
As for other spots around the country, reports the Globe:
[T]he city government of Topeka, Kan., officially renamed the city Google for the month of March. In response, Duluth, Minn., released a YouTube video declaring that every first-born son in the city would henceforth be named Google Fiber, while first-born daughters would be named Googlette Fiber.
Huntsville, Ala., home to a host of electronics and biotech companies and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, boasts one of the most successful Facebook efforts. Its Google Fiber page has signed up over 6,000 people.*
Peyton McNully, a Web developer at L3 Communications and a member of Huntsville’s Get Google Task Force, said citizen support ranges from scientists and engineers to ordinary people who want fast downloads of high-definition movies.
Make that 7,129 fans for Huntsville's page as of 2:10 p.m. today! The race is on. What is your community doing?
(Photo credit: Google Fiber for Huntsville, AL Facebook Page Profile Picture)
