Google is offering the chance for communities all over America to be picked as a test site for a revolutionary new ultra-high-speed broadband hookup that has the potential to move these communities far ahead of competitors in the race for new development and new prosperity. Communities must apply and the await Google's decision.
This is part of what Google has to say about it:
"Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the Web, and discussing a unique condition with a specialist in New York. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture. Universal, ultra high-speed Internet access will make all this, and more possible. We've urged the FCC to look at new and creative ways to get there in its National Broadband Plan — and now we're announcing an experiment of our own.
"Google is planning to build and test ultra-high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the country. We'll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We'll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000, and potentially up to 500,000 people."
The company wants to know what users would do with the new service — possibly some uses Google hasn't even thought of. The network will be "open access," meaning users would have the choice of multiple providers.
Google is soliciting local governments or just members of the public to indicate an interest in being a test site.
Application must be made by 5 p.m. March 26 on the interactive Web site http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/
All the information on the new service is available on the site, including prompts to get to the application.
Responses will be evaluated and ranked by a selection team picked by Google specifically for that purpose. Some communities may be asked to provide more information. Those chosen — Google refers to a "small number" of communities for selection as test sites but doesn't define what it means by a small number — will be given instructions on how to proceed next.
Applications will not be considered via any other means. It must be done through the Web site.
As the North Country has tried to compete with the rest of the world for business, industry and prosperity, high-speed communication has been one of the elements it has identified as a premium ingredient.
This sounds as if it's the kind of opportunity that could conceivably spell the difference between success and failure. It appears to cost nobody anything at this point but the effort of asking to be considered.
We hope government or other agency leaders will take a look at this prospect and see whether it is as inviting as it sounds.
