Google Fiber Project
In February, Google announced its plan to launch an experimental network that they hope will make internet access better and faster for everyone. Google plans to test an ultra-high speed broadband network in one or more trial municipalities across the country. The City of Kalamazoo will be responding to Google’s Request for Information (RFI) with the goal of being selected for this amazing opportunity.
What is Google Fiber?
If selected for the project, all Kalamazoo residences and businesses will have another option for internet connectivity. The difference between Google’s internet offering and other internet service providers (ISP) is speed. Google Fiber will provide 1 gigabit per second (GBPS) fiber-to-the premise internet connectivity which is 100-200 times faster than other internet connectivity offerings in Kalamazoo.
To put that speed into perspective, a typical full-length high definition feature film would take approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes to stream on a typical cable modem internet connection. With Google Fiber, the same file could be streamed in less than 2 minutes.
City Response (RFI)
Representatives from multiple departments across the City of Kalamazoo are teaming up to respond to the Google Fiber RFI. The 26-page document contains questions regarding the city’s population, income, public utilities, and other facts. It is anticipated that the City’s Google Fiber team will submit the completed RFI by March 24th, 2010.
What Can I Do to Help?
Google has provided a form for individuals to fill out in order to nominate their city for the Google Fiber project. The City of Kalamazoo is asking all citizens to nominate Kalamazoo for this project.
Citizen Nomination
A Facebook group has been set up that will provide Kalamazooans news and information on the Google Fiber in Kalamazoo project. Please join this group, and encourage everyone in Kalamazoo to do the same.
Facebook Group
A community driven website has been created to provide citizens additional information about the Kalamazoo area for inclusion in citizen nominations for Google Fiber. Visit this site at: www.kalamazoogle.com
Citizens can also email kzoogooglefiber@kalamazoocity.org for any general inquiries.
