Google Fiber
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Google Fiber is a yet-to-be-launched high-speed Internet network Google is planning on implementing in one or more cities in the United States. Though it has not been announced how many municipalities Google will bring the service to, Google says that it wants to serve "...at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people."[1] The Badger Herald reported on March 31st, 2011 that Kansas City, Kan. had been selected as the first recipient of the Google Fiber project[2]. Madison was among several cities in Wisconsin competing for the service.
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Google Fiber basics
For at least the past few years, Google has been purchasing fiber-optic cable dubbed "dark fiber" that was installed in the 1990s. Though thousands of miles of dark fiber were installed, most of it remains unused. Google Fiber would most likely make use of these cables to install networks capable of providing access at 1 gigabit per second--more than 100 times faster than most networks in the U.S. today.
The internet giant says it will offer access at a competitive price and allow multiple service providers to deliver the service to consumers. Google also says its intentions are not profit--through the Google Fiber "experiment," uses for the internet that have so far been crippled by slow speeds would be made possible. For example, cloud computing, where information and applications are stored and accessed within the internet instead of via a computer's harddrive, would become much more feasible. Downloading movies and streaming other data-intensive content would also become much faster.
Google also says they plan to share knowledge gained in the development of fiber networks with the rest of the world, which would potentially encourage others to make use of the dark fiber.
Competition
On Feb. 10, 2010, Google put out a request for information and invited municipalities with populations between 50,000 and 500,000 to apply to be considered for Google Fiber. Though Google's selection criteria remains vague, cities have begun unveiling both practical and gimmicky methods to achieve Google's favor. Most famously, Topeka, Kansas dubbed itself "Google, Kansas" for the month of March.
RFIs were due March 26, 2010. It is unknown when Google will select where Fiber will be tested.
The case for Madison
Madisonians have justified Madison as a destination for Google Fiber for many reasons, including that the city is home to the state's flagship university and many technology-centered companies. It is also touted as a place full of frequent bandwidth consumers, due in part to its high population of students and young professionals. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and other city officials have come out in strong support for the city's application.
Babcock Dairy, from the University of Wisconsin campus, also debuted an ice cream flavor in honor of Google Fiber. The ice cream includes multi-colored M&Ms and granola (which contains fiber).
External links
Notable articles
- Economic development committee talks application
- Milwaukee joins competition for Google Fiber
- Public meeting draws strong support
Other resources
References
- ↑ http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/overview Google Fiber Project Overview, retrieved 3/31/2011
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/news/2011/03/30/madison_loses_google.php Madison loses Google Fiber
