The Technograph

In Feb. 2010, Google did it again – it challenged scientific reality by introducing newer, faster, more efficient, and more innovative technology into a society that is advancing quicker into the future than ever.

Now that speed is increasing by a factor of about one hundred. Google’s new fiber optic broadband network boasts a speed of 1 gigabyte per second, which is about a hundred times faster than the average American network. The fibers directly accessed between 50,000 and 500,000 users in a trial period. This is the first time that Google’s fiber optic network has reached homes; previously, it was used worldwide for faster streaming of YouTube videos and Google searches.

Since 2005, Google’s “dark fiber” networks (unused nationwide cables systems) have raised suspicion; it is now assumed that these cables are being used for the new fiber optic broadband networks. However, Google is not looking to get into the Internet Service Provider (ISP) business.

James Kelly, a Google executive, said that Americans “are hungry for better and faster Internet access.” While Google was deciding on a place for a final building site, different cities across the country had been trying to promote their cities by creating videos, Facebook groups, and temporary town nicknames (such as “Google Island” and “Google, Kansas” – formerly Topeka).

“This enthusiasm is much bigger than Google and our experimental network,” said Kelly. College towns especially are fighting for access to the network, both for current students and recent graduates who would be more likely to stay in the area with a faster broadband network. Google’s new Fiber for Communities webpage (www.fiberforcommunities.com) is aimed at bringing faster internet access to communities who can use the technology for their benefit.

The Official Google Blog states that its intent is “to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone.” In addition to creating their own network advances, Google has encouraged the FCC to adapt their National Broadband Plan to allow for faster and more creative technologies.

Tagged with: Google, fiber, fiber optic, Internet, topeka