Google Picks Kansas City for FTTH Network

Back in February, Google announced it was launching an experimental 1 Gbps FTTH network in a small number of trial locations across the United States. The Internet giant received more than 1,100 applications from communities nationwide and took its time evaluating the contenders.

Last week Google officially announced that it has chosen Kansas City, Kan., as the first place that will get its ultra-fast broadband network. Google signed a development agreement with the city and it plans to work closely with local organizations, businesses and universities to bring a next-generation Web experience to the community. (See the video after the jump.)

“In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations,” Google said in a blog posting. “We’ve found this in Kansas City. We’ll be working closely with local organizations including the Kauffman Foundation, KCNext and the University of Kansas Medical Center to help develop the gigabit applications of the future.”

Pending approval from the city’s board of commissioners, Google plans to offer service in Kansas City beginning in 2012.

Of note, Google also said that this is the start of the project. During the coming months, the company plans to talk to other interested cities about the possibility of bringing ultra high-speed broadband to their communities.

For more, see this Google blog posting.