Google Fiber: lessons learned from other cities

The Story

Google Fiber is coming to town and we better get ready. For technology nerds like myself, this is a huge deal that will change the way we use the internet in our homes and community. For those who need some background, Google Fiber is a connection feed that is up to 1,000 megabits per second (100 times faster than regular broadband).

Besides the instant downloads and super smooth streaming (your Netflix will thank you), Google Fiber also offers 150+ TV channels bundled into a monthly cost that is lower than anything you can get now.

Google Fiber is only in a select number of cities and Charlotte was announced earlier this year. There is a lot of work to be done before we can enjoy the benefits but thankfully, we have Kansas City to help us learn how to roll this technology out the right way.

The Facts:

• Google announced Charlotte as one of the next 4 metro areas chosen to receive Google Fiber in January 2015.
• Construction on the infrastructure needed to support such technology is expected to start this year.
• The first customers likely won’t be online using Google Fiber for another two years.
• Designated neighborhoods, (called fiberhoods) will be eligible for the service if a certain number of residents sign up for it.
• Charlotte can’t require Google to serve all homes in the city however Google has made a commitment to construct a fiber network that covers all of Charlotte – with the availability of connections based on Google’s demand-based selection process.
• Kansas City was Google Fiber’s first location when they launched this campaign in 2012.
• Inside Kansas City, higher-income white neighborhoods were reaching their participation threshold while lower-income, primarily African-American neighborhoods were not.
• This led Kansas City leaders to go door-to-door urging residents to register.
• For Charlotte, Google said it can’t say for certain how the sign-up process will work but in Austin, registration is done by neighborhoods, in waves. This ensures that there is time to focus on the area, answer questions as needed and get them connected sooner.
• Erica Swanson, head of community impact for Google Fiber said that there are around 60 million people in the US who don’t use the internet.
• In Austin, a Google Fiber package costs only $300 for the initial connection charge and then carries a zero monthly charge.
• Google Fiber also provides free service to community organizations, such as public libraries.
• Making sure that all citizens of Charlotte are included (the phrase being “Digital Inclusion”) is a big and important job for the city as it aids in the sign-up process.
• In a 2012 a survey done by the Knight School found that 85% of Mecklenburg County adults have used the internet in the past 3 months and that most had access to internet at home.

Quotes

“It was just very, very challenging, I wanted to make sure that Charlotte didn’t have the same experience.” – Julie Porter, President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, previous a part of the Kansas City door-to-door campaign

“This is a complex problem that won’t be solved overnight, but in every city where we bring Google Fiber, we’re working with local partners and investing in solutions that address the unique needs of the community.” – Erica Swanson, Head of Community Impact for Google Fiber, talking about the 60 million people in the U.S. who don’t use the internet.

“This Digital Inclusion issue has created a lot of political frustration in other communities.” – Phil Reiger, a Charlotte transportation official spearheading the Google Fiber project in Charlotte, in a email to the Deputy City Manager Ron Kimble

“We know that the digital divide is probably one of the largest community issues we need to deal with.” – Tom Warshauer, Community Engagement Manager for the City of Charlotte

“We are ahead of the curve in identifying communities, but we know we need to have feet on the ground.” – Eric Freedman, Dean of the Queens’ Knight School of Communication

C5’s Take

Google Fiber has been on my radar for a while now thanks to the folks over at CharlotteHeartsGigbit and I am thrilled that all of their hard work has paid off. Google Fiber changes the game for a couple of reasons. Number one, Google Fiber gives you the fastest internet speed you have ever seen at a ridiculously low cost. Number two, it shines the light on current TV and internet providers to step up their game. Just like what the folks over at LendingTree say, when (internet) providers compete, you win! The challenge will be bringing the community together to make sure that this is possible for all residents of Charlotte.

This story was originally published March 16, 2015 at 12:46 AM with the headline "Google Fiber: lessons learned from other cities."