[TriLUG] Google to trial 1Gb Internet in a few cities

[Mark Turner]

Google is making use of its miles of dark fiber to offer 1 Gb Internet
service to a few cities in a trial run. I hope the Triangle is one of
those places. I want my 1 Gb Internet!!

Mark

P.S., have you signed up for TriLUG's nc-broadband list yet? ;-)
http://www.trilug.org/mailman/listinfo/nc-broadband

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/think-big-with-gig-our-experimental.html

Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network
2/10/2010 08:00:00 AM
Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional
medical imaging over the web and discussing a unique condition with a
specialist in New York. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length
feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates
around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture.
Universal, ultra high-speed Internet access will make all this and more
possible. We've urged the FCC to look at new and creative ways to get
there in its National Broadband Plan – and today we're announcing an
experiment of our own.

We're planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in
a small number of trial locations across the United States. We'll
deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most
Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second,
fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive
price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access
better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we
have in mind:

     * Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users
can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new
bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't
yet imagine.
     * New deployment techniques: We'll test new ways to build fiber
networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we'll
share key lessons learned with the world.
     * Openness and choice: We'll operate an "open access" network,
giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent
with our past advocacy, we'll manage our network in an open,
non-discriminatory and transparent way.

Like our WiFi network in Mountain View, the purpose of this project is
to experiment and learn. Network providers are making real progress to
expand and improve high-speed Internet access, but there's still more to
be done. We don't think we have all the answers – but through our trial,
we hope to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of
delivering faster and better Internet for everyone.

As a first step, today we're putting out a request for information (RFI)
to help identify interested communities. We welcome responses from local
government, as well as members of the public. If you'd like to respond,
visit this page to learn more