Yesterday, Google posted a much-anticipated announcement on its Google Fiber blog, where the company updated the status of its fiber network build in Kansas City, KS, the mid-sized town that beat out over 1,100 cities in Google’s contest to be the test market for its fiber network.
Here is the post:
Kansas City is Fiber-Ready!
Monday, February 06, 2012 | 3:00:00 AM
We’ve measured utility poles; we’ve studied maps and surveyed neighborhoods; we’ve come up with a comprehensive set of detailed engineering plans; and we’ve eaten way too much barbecue. Now, starting today, we’re ready to lay fiber.
As we build out Google Fiber, we’ll be taking thousands of miles of cables and stretching them across Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. Each cable contains many thin glass fibers, each about the width of a human hair. We’ll be taking these cables and weaving them into a fiber backbone—a completely new high speed infrastructure that will ultimately be carrying Kansas Citians’ data at speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have today.
At first, we’ll focus on building this solid fiber backbone. Then, as soon as we have an infrastructure that is up and running, we’ll be able to connect Google Fiber into homes across Kansas City!
As we build, we’ll be sure to post more important updates and announcements right here.
Posted by Kevin Lo, General Manager, Google Access
Here are some other details around the Google Fiber project:
- Although initially thought to be free access, Google will now pay $10 a year for each utility pole it attaches cables in Wyandotte County, KS. In addition, Google said it will provide the Board of Public Utilities (which is run by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County) with 50 connections to Internet service network for the utility’s “smart grid” that will use communications between meters, transformers and homes to increase efficiency and save consumers money. Google will work with the BPU “in a manner that allows the smart grid to benefit” from Google’s network service.
- Google has issued an application to the FCC to field-test new technology. Specifically, Google is requesting from the FCC a license to test upcoming 802.11ac gigabit Wi-Fi technology inside residential gateways. The testing would go until June 2012. Other network related news includes Google launching a Beta fiber network near Stanford University in Palo Alto in August---free to students. The speeds are 150Mbps and upload speeds of more than 90Mbps, which is quite a bit slower than the 1 Gbps that Google has promised with its Google Fiber launch. Finally, there are also rumors that Google is planning a network launch in Europe.
- In regards the Kansas City operation, Google reportedly has only about 100 employees in the area working on the project. In addition, the company has posted over 25 Google Fiber jobs on their web site and on LinkedIn. Some of the open positions include NOC Analysts, IP Network Architects, Web Developers, Project Managers and more. These jobs are mostly located in Mountain View, CA, the company’s headquarters.
Although the Google Fiber project in Kansas City has already seen some snafus since being announced in March 2001, the company is not backing away from (at least experimenting with) a network build-out. If it can manage the costs effectively, Google's super-fast network will fit nicely with its Connected Home strategy, among other areas. Finally, since I happen to be located in the Kansas City area, Google Fiber is of special interest to me. It is on my radar screen so stayed tuned…
Written by Kate Pearce
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