Frequently Asked Questions

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General

What is Google planning to build?

Google is planning to build and test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. We'll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We'll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Why is Google doing this?

Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone.

What do you mean by "at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people?"

We have not yet determined the size of the trial, which will be based in large part on the availability of appropriate locations. We expect that we will provide this service to a minimum of 50,000 people and up to as many as 500,000 people, most likely in multiple communities.

Why would consumers need 1 Gbps connections?

In the same way that the transition from dial-up to broadband made possible the emergence of online video and countless other applications, ultra high-speed bandwidth will drive more innovation – in high-definition video, remote data storage, real-time multimedia collaboration, and others that we cannot yet imagine. It will enable new consumer applications, as well as medical, educational, and other services that can benefit communities. If the Internet has taught us anything, it's that the most important innovations are often those we least expect.

Selection process

When does Google expect to announce a target community?

We plan to announce a target community or communities this year.

How many responses did you receive to your request for information?

We received approximately 1,100 community responses and more than 194,000 responses from individuals. We have read every community response and plan to announce our target community or communities by the end of the year.

What criteria will Google use to select the communities for this project?

Above all, we're interested in deploying our network efficiently and quickly, and are hoping to identify interested communities that will work with us to achieve this goal. We also want to work with a community where we can bring significant benefits to residents and develop useful proofs-of-concept that can have a broader impact. For example, we're looking for opportunities to experiment with deployment techniques that can inform and accelerate broadband deployment elsewhere as well. To that end, we'll use our RFI to identify interested communities and to assess local factors that will impact the efficiency and speed of our deployment, such as the level of community support, local resources, weather conditions, approved construction methods and local regulatory issues. We will also take into account broadband availability and speeds that are already offered to users within a community. The RFI is a first step – we plan to consult with local government organizations, as well as conduct site visits and meet with local officials, before announcing our final decisions.

Were there any special grassroots efforts that got your attention?

We were honored by the excitement we saw around the country. We know this enthusiasm is much bigger than Google and our experimental network – people around the country are hungry for better and faster Internet. We aren't commenting on specific communities until we are ready to announce where we plan to build.

Are there any communities that are currently front runners for the project?

We aren't commenting on specific communities until we are ready to announce where we plan to build.

Why did Google host a micro-trenching contest?

This was a fun day focused on the latest trenching technologies, innovation, and knowledge sharing. This exercise was not meant to determine whom Google will partner with in the future or what technologies our broadband deployment will employ.

Technology and future service offerings

How is Google able to build a network that is so fast?

The technology for ultra high-speed networks is already available, and Google has some expertise in network infrastructure. We encourage others in the industry with similar expertise to pursue similar projects.

How long will Google stay in the experimental network community?

We plan to stay for the long-run and we have no plans to leave at any time in the near future.

Is there going to be a wireless component to this network?

Our focus is on developing a fiber-to-the-home network and we have no plans to include a wireless component at this stage. In general, we think wireless and wireline services are complementary, because wireless networks offer a nice degree of flexibility, while wireline networks can currently reach greater speeds.

Does Google plan to offer Internet service?

Yes, as part of the planned trial, Google will offer competitively priced, ultra high-speed Internet access service to residents of the chosen communities. In addition, we will allow third-parties to offer their own Internet access services, or other data services, on our open network.

How much will the services cost?

It's too early to say how much we plan to charge for consumer access to our network, but we intend to offer service at a competitive price.