Google Launches Ultrafast Broadband Community Site

Google isn't yet ready to announce which community or communities will receive the gift of ultrafast broadband -- that's coming later this year.But it is ready to turn the massive interest in its high-speed broadband project into a highly visible lobbying effort to promote improved Internet connectivity around the U.S.

Google on Tuesday launched a Web site called Google Fiber for Communities to urge federal and local support for changes designed to bring ultra-fast broadband to more communities.

The site encourages visitors to contact government representatives to support pending federal legislation that requires installation of conduit (for fiber optic cable) in federal transportation projects. It also seeks to encourage cities to support conduit installation to ease the laying of fiber optic cable.

Never mind the telecom-cable duopoly. Meet the power of speed-starved voters.

One or more communities, as Google announced in February, will become test sites where Google will build ultra-fast broadband (1 Gbps). The company said it plans to offer network access to between 50,000 and 500,000 people at competitive prices.

Interest in becoming a test site was great than Google anticipated. The company says it received about 1,100 community responses and over 194,000 responses from individuals.

I'd like my 1 Gbps broadband connection now please.

While we're waiting, here's a video of a trench digging race to promote efficient laying of conduit and fiber.

At the 2010 InformationWeek 500 Conference, C-level executives from leading global companies will gather to discuss how they're meeting the growth imperative. It happens Sept. 12-15, St. Regis Monarch Beach, Calif. Find out more.