Birmingham goes for Google Fiber Community project

A handful of Michigan cities are lining up to become one of Google's first fiber communities, and now Birmingham is throwing its hat into the ring for a chance at free ultra-fast broadband access to the Internet.

"We're always looking for ways to enhance our services for our residents," says Tara Maguire, GIS coordinator for the city of Birmingham. "This is a good opportunity for them. It also offers some economic development opportunities."

Google plans to provide ultra high-speed broadband internet to area residents and businesses in one or more cities of its choosing. The Google Fiber program will provide technology that can pump up Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. Think 1 gigabit per second Internet speeds for between 50,000 and 500,000 people.

Birmingham officials see this as not only a way of enhancing local creative and high-tech businesses, but also attracting more that want to take advantage of this new technology. Google is letting people nominate their cities to become part of the experimental program. Birmingham has already created a Facebook page to help rally local support.

Other Michigan municipalities are making a go at the Google Fiber program, including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and East Lansing. Ann Arbor was one of the first cities to announce its candidacy for the program and has since garnered the support of the University of Michigan and neighboring Ypsilanti.

Source: Tara Maguire, GIS coordinator for the city of Birmingham
Writer: Jon Zemke

Birmingham goes for Google Fiber Community project

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