Fayette County, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, and Tyrone are working together to respond to Google's Request for Information (RFI) for communities interested in participating in an experiment to make Internet access better and faster. The project involves Google building high-speed fiber optic networks in one or more trial locations across the country. As an outcome of the project, Google claims it will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most people have access to currently at a competitive price. The County's response proposal also has the support of the Fayette County Board of Education and Fayette County Development Authority staff, among other local entities.
According to the Google website, the goals of this project include finding out what developers and users can do with ultra high-speed Internet, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive apps and services, or other uses; testing new ways to build fiber networks; and creating an open network to promote competition in services.
Fayette County's government agencies need the assistance of residents and business owners to help define the County's current broadband environment, costs, and customer satisfaction with current services. The governments are also encouraging residents, businesses, and community groups to nominate Fayette County for this trial.
The deadline for completing nominations to Google is March 26. Nominations can be made by visiting the Google Fiber for Communities website at http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi and clicking on the "Get Involved" button. A Google ID, which can be obtained for free, is needed to complete the nomination form.
The resident/business Internet usage survey is available on each of the jurisdictions' websites and can be reached directly at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/googleinfayettecounty. The Internet usage survey deadline is March 23, 2010.
Help Fayette County "think big with a gig" by telling Google how ultra high-speed Internet can improve our community!