Slowly but surely, Google Fiber, Google’s blazing quick fiber optic internet and TV service, is headed out west. What started in Kansas City and later Austin, Texas is now headed to Provo, Utah as its next stop.
One might wonder why Provo would get Fiber next (or ANY of these first few cities; I mean, Google is based out of Mountain View, CA! Why not the Bay Area?), but it actually makes quite a bit of sense. Provo is already laced with an existing fiber optic network, iProvo, which is set to be acquired by Google for an undisclosed amount. The foundation’s already there, so why not? Provo is also the home to a number of tech companies and startups, and is ranked second in the nation in patent growth.
From the Google Blog: “In order to bring Fiber to Provo, we’ve signed an agreement to purchase iProvo, an existing fiber-optic network owned by the city. As a part of the acquisition, we would commit to upgrade the network to gigabit technology and finish network construction so that every home along the existing iProvo network would have the opportunity to connect to Google Fiber. Our agreement with Provo isn’t approved yet—it’s pending a vote by the City Council scheduled for next Tuesday, April 23. We intend to begin the network upgrades as soon as the closing conditions are satisfied and the deal is closed.”
As I sit here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I can only think to myself, over and over: “Soon.”
source | google blog
