Google to Test Ultra High-Speed Internet Access – Nominate Columbus as Test City

Google has announced a call for applications for cities who would like to be considered as a test site for a new ultra high-speed broadband network the company is planning to build and test.  The network will deliver Internet speeds of more than 100 times faster than what most Americans experience.  Through fiber-to-the-home connections Google plans to deliver Internet at speeds over 1 gigabit per second. Google will select one or more trial locations across the nation as test sites.  Residents of Central Ohio are encouraged to go online and nominate Columbus as one of the test cities. 

The goal of this experiment is to find ways of making Internet access better and faster for everyone.  In particular Google hopes to make inroads in next generation applications and deployment techniques.  Developers will be free to explore what they can do given access to ultra high-speed connections.  Some of these applications might include streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the Web, downloading high-definition, full-length movies in less than five minutes, collaborating with classmates around the world while watching 3D video of a university lecture and more.  It is thought that ultra high-speed bandwidth will drive innovation in high definition video, remote data storage, real-time multimedia collaboration and other applications that have yet to be imagined. 

Nominations close March 26, 2010; you can nominate Columbus by visiting here