July 27, 2012

It's A Wonderful Day In The 'Fiberhood': Inside Google’s KC Fiber Project

Yesterday, Google finally released details of its upcoming fiber buildout in Kansas City on both sides of the state line. In its Google Fiber KC Blog, the company told residents how they can pre-register for Google Fiber, set to take its first service some six weeks from now – if there is enough user-generated interest.

According to Kevin Lo, general manager at Google Access, if potential customers live in an eligible Kansas City household, they can pre-register, offer up their names and addresses, and pay a $10 deposit. They also are encouraged to get neighbors and friends to do the same, and here’s why:

“Google Fiber works better when communities are connected together. So we’ve divided Kansas City into small communities we call 'fiberhoods,'” he says. “We’ll install only where there’s enough interest, and we’ll install sooner in fiberhoods where there’s more interest. You can check out your fiberhood’s pre-registration goal as well as a real-time status update of all Kansas City fiberhoods on our rankings page.”

Lo continues, “The rally lasts for six weeks and ends on September 9. When you participate, not only will you help bring Google Fiber to your home, you’ll also help bring it to your community. If your fiberhood reaches its pre-registration goal, we’ll also connect community buildings like schools, libraries and hospitals with free Gigabit Internet.”

Once Google analyzes user interest, it will post which neighborhoods have rallied enough support to warrant being a fiberhood. At that time, the fiberhood can sign up for service, and “all qualifying neighborhoods will receive service before the end of 2013,” it promises.

To gauge interest, Google has set up a free-standing “Google Fiber Space” at 1814 Westport Road in Kansas City, opening tomorrow. Residents can “experience a gigabit first-hand and check out TV in crystal-clear high definition,” and they can speak with Google reps about the planned service.