Well, it is April Fool’s Day, so this is pretty funny on Google’s splash page today:
Here is the map of all the applicants. Each large, orange dot represents an area that had over 1,000 residential submissions.
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Tags: About Google Fiber
I received word from City of Clinton, IT Manager, Melanie Pienkofer that the City had completed and submitted its request for information.
Thanks to everyone for all your help and support. Please do one last thing for us: Go to our Facebook page and leave us a comment whether or not you submitted a nomination for Clinton. Please state whether you made one for your self or for your organization and the name of the organization.
Fingers crossed!
Tags: About Google Fiber
When you submit an application for an individual or organization for the Google Fiber for Communities initiative they ask you what your Internet speed is. Well, what if you don’t know? Or more to the point, what is what your Internet Service Provider TELLS you your speed is is different than the ACTUAL speed.
The FCC launched a consumer broadband test on their blog, broadband.gov, yesterday. Internet speeds in the US are often 50% to 80% lower than advertised and its vital consumers have reliable information on the actual performance of their connections. One of the two tools the FCC is using is the Network Diagnostic Tool (NDT), an open source tool hosted on MeasurementLab.net (M-Lab). The validity of NDT can be independently verified, and all data is publicly released. M-Lab hosts other test as wells, such as a test to see if bit torrent is being throttled, or how much bandwidth is available.
So use this bad-boy before filling out your application. Bookmark it and use it to keep your ISP honest.
H/T BoingBoing
Tags: About Google Fiber, The Internet
Here is the quick and dirty version of what the Google Fiber for Communities initiative is all about.
WHAT IS IT?
- Google is seeking requests for information (RFI) from cities interested in having Google build a fiber-optic Internet network in their municipality. This service would be fiber-to-the-premises offering Internet access speeds hundreds of times faster than current offerings.
- This will be an open network. It will be available for other providers to use, resell and so forth. Google is not seeking to supplant current service providers.
- This is seen as an initiative by Google to demonstrate to the Federal Communications Commission and other Internet service providers (ISP’s) that Fiber-To-The-Premises (FTTP) services can be done efficiently.
- This should also serve as a test bed for technologies for delivering and installing FTTP service and for applications that will utilize the service. In the words of Google, the applications for a 1 gigabit-per-second network have not been invented yet, because none exists.
- This initial application round is simply a request to be included for consideration. There is no obligation from either the requesting communities or Google. Google will narrow down their choices to finalists or to a short list, “this year.” There is no date set yet for a decision.
- Application deadline for RFI forms is March 26.
WHY SHOULD CLINTON SUPPORT THIS?
- This is a huge economic development opportunity. In The Econimist this week was an article about Bristol, VA, a town where the coal mining industry had pulled out and left few prospect behind for the future. Bristol partnered with a local utility to install a fiber optic networks in their county. Growth has returned.
- Clinton is already in growth mode and actively trying to attract a number of large businesses to locate here. This would be a massive competitive advantage. Even being shortlisted would be a public relations coup.
You can help by going to the official Google application listed in the sidebar and voicing your ideas why Clinton should be selected.
Tags: About Google Fiber