Kansas City, KS Wins Google Broadband Competition
In February of 2010, Google announced it was going to be running an experiment with its own fiber optic broadband network with speeds of 1Gbps, and that it was taking applications from localities with at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people. More than 1,000 towns applied, and Google eventually delayed the decision to 2011. It's now announced the winner: Kansas City, KS, population 150,000.
Topeka, KS is probably extremely disappointed right now. It took the step of temporarily naming itself Google, KS. Google noticed, as one of the company's April Fools' Day Pranks for 2010 was to rename itself Topeka.
Google noticing the stunt by Topeka wasn't enough for it to win. The build-out of the network is pending approval from the Kansas City's Board of Commissioners. Assuming that happens, Google plans to offer service beginning in 2012.
All is not lost, however. Google said they will also be looking at ways to bring ultra-high-speed Internet to other cities across the country.
Pricing has not been set, although Google has previously said that prices will be "competitive." It was not clear, however, if they meant competitive with standard broadband pricing, or pricing of other ultra-high-speed broadband services.
You can watch a short video on the announcement below.
Topeka, KS is probably extremely disappointed right now. It took the step of temporarily naming itself Google, KS. Google noticed, as one of the company's April Fools' Day Pranks for 2010 was to rename itself Topeka.
Google noticing the stunt by Topeka wasn't enough for it to win. The build-out of the network is pending approval from the Kansas City's Board of Commissioners. Assuming that happens, Google plans to offer service beginning in 2012.
All is not lost, however. Google said they will also be looking at ways to bring ultra-high-speed Internet to other cities across the country.
Pricing has not been set, although Google has previously said that prices will be "competitive." It was not clear, however, if they meant competitive with standard broadband pricing, or pricing of other ultra-high-speed broadband services.
You can watch a short video on the announcement below.
