Google announced plans to rollout an “experimental” fiber-to-the-home network in test markets across the United States. Specifically, Google plans to offer a 1 Gbps home service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people. The locations of these deployments have not been disclosed.
The company said its goal with the experimental service would be to test:
- Next generation apps: 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: to test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere. Google plans to share key lessons learned with the world.
- Openness and choice: operate an “open access” network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with its past advocacy, Google plans to manage the network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.
Google currently operates a free, public Wi-Fi network in its hometown of Mountain View, California.
As part of its announcement, Google issued a RFI for communities interested in participating.
The following video was also posted to its blog.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi