Google has announced plans to build and test a number of ultra high-speed broadband networks across the United States.
The experimental networks are expected to deliver Internet speeds that are 100 times faster than the average connection, with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections.
The service will initially be offered at a “competitive price” to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.
“Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone,” product managers Minnie Ingersoll and James Kelly explained in an official blog post.
“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.
“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 today we’re announcing an experiment of our own.”
Ingersoll and Kelly added that Google’s goal was to “experiment” with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster to facilitate:
- Next generation apps: Google wants to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive “killer apps” and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
- New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world.
- Openness and choice: Google will operate an “open access” network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we’ll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.
