Last year, Google announced that they would be testing out a new super-fast fiber optic broadband network in the US. When it was announced, Google invited cities across the US to apply to the program. After a thorough selection process, Google has now chosen the first city where it will trial the new broadband: Kansas City.
Google revealed that over 1,100 cities applied to trial the new broadband. The trial is set to begin in Kansas City in 2012. Additionally, Google will be engaging in discussions with other cities that have shown interest in the project, potentially expanding the reach of this innovative technology.
After a careful review, today we’re very happy to announce that we will build our ultra high-speed network in Kansas City, Kansas. We’ve signed a development agreement with the city, and we’ll be working closely with local organizations, businesses, and universities to bring a next-generation web experience to the community.
What Makes Fiber Optic Broadband Special?
The new fiber optic broadband will provide people with access speeds of 1Gbps, which is extremely fast when compared to the broadband speeds offered by many providers today. To put this into perspective, the average broadband speed in the US hovers around 18.7 Mbps, according to a 2020 report by Speedtest. This means that Google’s fiber optic network could potentially be more than 50 times faster than the current average speeds.
Fiber optic technology uses light to transmit data, which allows for much higher speeds and greater bandwidth compared to traditional copper wire connections. This means that users can download large files, stream high-definition videos, and engage in video conferencing with minimal lag and buffering. The increased speed and reliability can also benefit businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare providers by enabling more efficient operations and better service delivery.
Implications for the Future of Broadband
It will be interesting to see how the trial goes, and we suspect this may give broadband providers a bit of a wake-up call to roll out faster Internet access to their customers. The introduction of such high-speed internet could set a new standard for broadband services, pushing other providers to upgrade their infrastructure to remain competitive.
Moreover, the success of this trial could pave the way for similar projects in other cities, potentially leading to a nationwide upgrade in broadband infrastructure. This could have far-reaching implications for the digital divide, providing high-speed internet access to underserved and rural areas, and fostering greater digital inclusion.
The economic impact of such an upgrade could also be significant. High-speed internet is a critical factor in attracting businesses and fostering innovation. Cities with advanced broadband infrastructure are more likely to attract tech companies, startups, and other businesses that rely on fast and reliable internet connections. This could lead to job creation, increased investment, and overall economic growth.
You can find out full details of the trial over at the Google Blog.
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