Google's Fiber Network to Offer 1Gb per Second Connections

Google Fiber Network

There aren’t a lot of details yet, but Google claims they’re planning to “build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States.”

The networks will supposedly be able to deliver Internet speeds 1 gigabit per second, which Google says is 100 times faster than what the majority of Americans have access to today. To start, this fiber-to-the-home plan will only be offered to somewhere between 50,000 and 500,000 people:

Why? Obviously because Google wants to take over the world. But also because they want to see: 

• Next generation apps: What can developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds? Google is playing with the possibility of new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services. 
• New deployment techniques: Goog is going to test new ways to build fiber networks, and share their findings 'round the globe.
• Openness and choice: Surprise, surprise, Google wants to give users the choice of multiple service providers. To do that, the search giant will operate an "open access" network. 

For Real This Time?

Before you get excited, note this: Some time ago Google talked about doing something similar for San Francisco — a Wi-Fi broadband network for the whole city — and since I live in the Bay Area I could feel the excitement in the air. And when it never happened, I could feel the disappointment.

To kick start things this time around, Google put out an RFI to help identify interested communities. They're looking for responses from local government, as well as members of the public. Though specific testing location haven't been announced, you can head over here for more info, or to nominate your own community.

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