Google Fiber

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File:Google fiber logo.jpeg
Google Fiber logo

Google Fiber is a project to build an experimental broadband Internet network infrastructure using fiber-optic communication[1] in Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; North Kansas City, Missouri and Provo, Utah. The location was chosen following a competitive selection process.[2] Over 1,100 communities applied to be the first recipient of the technology.[3] On March 30, 2011, Google announced that Kansas City, Kansas will be the first community where the new network would be deployed.[4]

After building an infrastructure of the network, in July 2012, Google announced pricing for Google Fiber. The service will offer three options. These include a free broadband internet option, a 1 Gbps internet option for $70 per month and a version that includes television service for $120 per month. The internet service includes 1 terabyte of Google Drive service and the television service includes a 2 terabyte DVR recorder in addition to the Google Drive service. The DVR will record up to eight live television shows simultaneously. The television options also includes a Nexus 7 tablet that will act as a remote control for the system. In addition, television service will also stream live program content on iPad and Android tablet computers. Neighborhoods that receive the service will be selected through demand from Kansas City area residents and Google has set up a website to pre-register for the service.[5]

Plans

Google offers several different service plans to their customers:[6]

Plan Gigabit + TV Gigabit Free Internet
Price $120/month ($300 construction fee waived) $70/month ($300 construction fee waived) $0/month + $300 construction fee
Internet bandwidth (download / upload) 1 Gbit/s / 1 Gbit/s 1 Gbit/s / 1 Gbit/s 5 Mbit/s / 1 Mbit/s
TV service included Yes No No
Storage included 2 TB DVR Storage (8 simultaneous recordings possible)
1 TB Google Drive		 1 TB Google Drive None
Hardware included Nexus 7 tablet
TV box
Network box
Storage box (DVR)
$250 Chromebook optional		 Network box
$250 Chromebook optional		 Network box
$250 Chromebook optional

Technical specifications

Google Fiber will provide an Internet connection speed of one gigabit per second for both download and upload. This is 1,024 megabits per second, or 128 megabytes per second (there are 8 bits in a byte), or roughly 100 times faster access than what most Americans have.[6] Obtaining the full gigabit speed will require a wired Ethernet connection to the supplied router, which currently supports only the 802.11a/b/g/n wireless protocols. The best of these, 802.11n, has a maximum net data rate of 600 Mbit/s.

Locations

  • Kansas City, Kansas - On March 30, 2011, KCK was selected from over 1,100 applicants to be the first Google Fiber community.
  • Kansas City, Missouri - Seventeen days after the initial announcement regarding KCK, Google announced the decision to include Kansas City, Missouri, thus offering service to both sides of the state line. The network became available to residents in September 2012.
  • Olathe, Kansas - On March 19, 2013 Google announced that the project would be expanded to Olathe.[7]
  • Austin, Texas - On April 9, 2013 Austin was selected to be provided Google Fiber [8]
  • Provo, Utah - On April 17, 2013, Provo was selected to be the next city to be provided Google Fiber.[9]
  • North Kansas City, Missouri - April 19, 2013 Google announced that they were to begin a 20 year lease on the existing LINKCity fiber network.[10]

The Provo, Utah expansion will be accomplished by purchasing the existing iProvo fiber optic network[11] for $1 and retiring the debt the city incurred building the system.[12] Because the fiber backbone already exists, instead of Kansas City's $300 one-time installation fee, Provo customers will only have to pay a $30 installation fee.[13]

The systems in Provo and North Kansas City will be upgraded to gigibit capacity.

Selection process

Google originally stated that they would announce the winner or winners by the end of 2010; however, in mid-December, Google pushed back the announcement date of the selected Google Fiber community (or communities) to "early 2011" due to an increase in the time necessary to review all of the over 1,100 applications.[14][15][16]

The request form was simple,[17] and, some have argued, too straightforward.[18] This led to various attention-getting behaviors by those hoping to have their town selected.[18] Some examples are given below:

Municipalities and citizens have also uploaded YouTube videos to support their bids. Some examples:

Trial near Stanford

In summer 2011, Google launched a free trial of its forthcoming fiber service in one residential community near Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.[26]

April Fools' hoaxes

See also: List of Google's hoaxes and easter eggs

On April Fools' Day 2012, Google Fiber announced that their product was an edible Google Fiber bar instead of fiber-optic Internet broadband.[27] It is stated that the Google Fiber bar delivers "what the body needs to sustain activity, energy, and productivity."[27]

On April Fools' Day 2013, Google Fiber announced the introduction of Google Fiber to the Pole.[28] The Description provided was "Google Fiber to the Pole provides ubiquitous gigabit connectivity to fiberhoods across Kansas City. This latest innovation in Google Fiber technology enables users to access Google Fiber's ultra fast gigabit speeds even when they are out and about." [28] Clicking on the "Learn More" and "Find a pole near you" buttons displayed a message reading "April Fool’s! While Fiber Poles don’t exist, we are working on a bunch of cool stuff that does. Keep posted on all things Fiber by checking out our blog."[28]

References

  1. ^ HELFT (2010-03-21). "Hoping for Gift From Google? Go Jump in the Lake". New York Times.
  2. ^ Malik, Om (February 11, 2010). "How Much Will Google's Fiber Network Cost?". gigaOm.com.
  3. ^ "More than 1,100 communities seek Google network". Associated Press. 2010-03-27. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
  4. ^ "Ultra high-speed broadband is coming to Kansas City, Kansas". Google.com.
  5. ^ Google Gets Into the Cable TV Business, for Real, All Things Digital, July 26, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Google. "Plans & Pricing". Google. Retrieved 6 September 2012. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Google Fiber is coming to Olathe, Kansas
  8. ^ Google Fiber's next stop Austin Texas
  9. ^ http://www.googlefiberblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/silicon-slopes.html
  10. ^ Farivar, Cyrus. "North Kansas City leases network to Google Fiber". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 19 April 2013. North Kansas City will lease its LINKCity fiber-optic data network to Google Fiber. The City Council approved a 20-year agreement Tuesday worth $3.2 million
  11. ^ "Google to acquire Provo, Utah's fiber, transform it into Google Fiber". Retrieved 19 April 2013. In order to bring Fiber to Provo, we've signed an agreement to purchase iProvo, an existing fiber-optic network owned by the city
  12. ^ Conner, Cheryl (20 April 2013). "Provo, Utah's Response to Google Fiber: +1". Forbes. Retrieved 20 April 2013. City paid $39 million about 11 years ago for iProvo. Google is buying it for $1 because the technology is 10 years old. While the city is obtaining a revenue stream of $5.35 per month per resident to retire the bond's debt, Provo is now relieved of the unfunded responsibility to continue to upgrade the system, thanks to Google's willingness to take that responsibility on.
  13. ^ Bylund, Anders (April 20, 2013). "That Was Fast: Google Fiber Puts More Pressure on the Cable Guys". The Motley Fool. Retrieved 22 April 2013. Thanks to the existing infrastructure, Google can offer absolutely free 5-megabit connections for a mere $30 one-time connection fee and will give gigabit hookups to a handful of worthy recipients such as schools, hospitals, and libraries.
  14. ^ "Google Fiber for Communities". Google.
  15. ^ Medin, Milo (2010-12-15). "An update on Google Fiber". Google.
  16. ^ Anderson, Nate (2010-12-15). "Google delays its 1Gbps fiber announcement". Arstechnica.
  17. ^ Google Fiber for Communities
  18. ^ a b c d e Van Buskirk, Eliot (March 11, 2010). "Al Franken Jokes, But Google Fiber Is No Laughing Matter". Wired Magazine.
  19. ^ HELFT]], MIGUEL (March 26, 2010). "Cities Rush to Woo Google Broadband Before Friday Deadline". New York Times blog.
  20. ^ Silver, Curtis (March 10, 2010). "I, Google". Wired Magazine.
  21. ^ Murphy, David (March 7, 2010). "The 5 Strangest City Pitches for Google's New Fiber-Optic Service". PC Magazine.
  22. ^ Al Franken YouTube video
  23. ^ Ann Arbor YouTube channel
  24. ^ Ann Arbor GoogleFest
  25. ^ Reed, Tina (March 26, 2010). "Ann Arbor 'mob' makes another case to attract Google Fiber". AnnArbor.com.
  26. ^ "Google Fiber Goes Live Near Stanford". anandtech.com. August 22, 2011.
  27. ^ a b Google Fiber Bar
  28. ^ a b c "Google Fiber to the Pole". Google.com. April 1, 2013.

External links

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