Google Fiber floats nine U.S. metro areas in expansion push
Google's next-generation fiber Internet service may soon be hitting a town near you, but only if they're willing to put the effort in.
"We've invited cities in nine metro areas around the U.S. — 34 cities altogether — to work with us to explore what it would take to bring them Google Fiber," Google Access Services vice president Milo Medin said in a blog post on Wednesday.
The search giant turned Internet provider said it wants to "work closely with each city's leaders" to assess what "unique local challenges" the company might face.
But despite Google's desire to build in all of these cities, in the end only a few will be chosen. And in order to meet the demands of the local residents, cities will also need to help Google bring the super-fast internet service to their homes.
"Cities will complete a checklist of items that will help them get ready for a project of this scale and speed," Medin wrote. "For example, they'll provide us with maps of existing conduit, water, gas and electricity lines so that we can plan where to place fiber."
This, he said, will help Google find ways to access existing infrastructure, such as utility poles, so the company doesn't have to dig up streets.
Taking the cautious approach, Google admitted, "it might not work out for everyone." But for the lucky few, they could soon be receiving blazingly fast download speeds — enough to download a Blu-ray quality film in mere seconds.