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CONTACT:
Marylou Berg, Communication Manager, 240-314-8105
Rockville Applies for Google's High-Speed Network
Residents and Groups Encouraged to Complete Survey in Support
Rockville, Md., March 8, 2010 - The City of Rockville is responding to a Google Request for Information (RFI) and needs support from the community for a trial program that will install and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in several communities.
In support of the application for the Fiber for Communities project, residents and community groups are encouraged to visit the Google Web site at http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi and complete a community member survey. Applications and community member surveys are due Friday, March 26.
If the City's application is successful, the Fiber for Communities project would provide local residents with one of the fastest networks in the nation, with speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is more than 100 times faster than most Internet connections.
According to the Google Web site, the project's goals include the development of "next-generation" applications, testing how and where to build high-speed fiber networks, and operating an "open access" network to give users the choice of different service providers.
Google will offer service on the network, at a competitive price, to between 50,000 and 500,000 users in the selected trial communities.
For more information about the RFI or the Fiber to Communities project, contact Mike Cannon, information and technology director, at 240-314-8162 or mcannon@rockvillemd.gov.