Google Fiber Zeroes In On Three Additional Cites For Gigabit Internet
Google has picked three new cities to consider for its Google Fiber initiative. Irvine, CA, Louisville, KY and San Diego, CA all received public invitations from Google to join the small, but growing list of U.S cities that have Google Fiber’s low-cost gigabit Internet connectivity. Assuming all goes to plan, that will bring the number of cities that have Google Fiber (or will soon) to 12.
Preparing for gigabit Internet is a huge undertaking, requiring cities to assess their infrastructure and agree to make certain information, such as maps of utility lines, available to Google. Google says that the work will make cities prepared to accept Gigabit from any provider, leaving the door open to competitors if Google chooses not to build Google Fiber there. Cities must complete a long checklist to win Google Fiber.
But, the work is usually considered worth it for cities that want to become tech hubs. Google puts the gigabit Internet signup growth rate at 480% per year. “While much of the United States still lags behind the rest of the world in Internet speeds, cities like Kansas City – where Fiber started – rank amongst the fastest cities in the world,” wrote Jill Szuchmacher, Director of Google Fiber Expansion in a blog post. “We want to see more U.S. cities at the top of that list.”
So far, nine U.S cities already have signed up for Google Fiber since it was launched in 2011. Austin, TX, Kansas City, KS, and Provo, UT completed the infrastructure upgrades and have Google Fiber. Cities that are still working on bringing in Google Fiber include Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and San Antonio, TX. You can check your address at the Google Fiber page to see if super-fast Internet is on its way to your neck of the woods.
But, the work is usually considered worth it for cities that want to become tech hubs. Google puts the gigabit Internet signup growth rate at 480% per year. “While much of the United States still lags behind the rest of the world in Internet speeds, cities like Kansas City – where Fiber started – rank amongst the fastest cities in the world,” wrote Jill Szuchmacher, Director of Google Fiber Expansion in a blog post. “We want to see more U.S. cities at the top of that list.”
So far, nine U.S cities already have signed up for Google Fiber since it was launched in 2011. Austin, TX, Kansas City, KS, and Provo, UT completed the infrastructure upgrades and have Google Fiber. Cities that are still working on bringing in Google Fiber include Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Salt Lake City, UT and San Antonio, TX. You can check your address at the Google Fiber page to see if super-fast Internet is on its way to your neck of the woods.
