Google to build experimental ultra-fast broadband network in Kansas

Google has announced that it will build its trial ultra-fast broadband network in Kansas City, Kansas, an experiment the company said followed on from urging the Federal Communication Commission to look at new and creative ways of providing universal, ultra high-speed Internet access through its National Broadband Plan. 

(Hint: watch the video to hear the Google CFO describe low speed access as "sucky").

Google launched the idea in February last year and put out Requests for Information to identify interested towns, and said at the time it planned to build and test ultra high-speed broadband in a number of locations, meaning Kansas City would be the first of several cities to benefit from the experiment.

The company said it planned to deliver 100 times faster Internet speeds than currently available to most Americans, with 1 gigabit fibre-to-the-home connections.  The service, said Google, would be offered at a "competitive price" to at least 50,000 people, with a potential of 500,000.

Kansas City, Kansas (not to be confused with Kansas City, Missouri) had a population of 145,786 according to the 2010 census.

"Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone," the company said on its official blog and identified the development of next gen apps, new deployment techniques for fibre and open access to the network as specific areas of interest in the experiment.  Kevin Lo, general manager of network access for Google said the company had been "blown away" by the leadership in the town.

Google said about 1,100 applied for the experiment and Kansas City was chosen for meeting Google's criteria of being a town where they were able to build efficiently, make an impact upon the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations.

Plans are to offer service in 2012, pending approval from the city's Board of Commissioners, and a development agreement has been signed with the city.

"We’ll also be looking closely at ways to bring ultra high-speed Internet to other cities across the country."