In its continuing quest to speed up the Internet, Google has decided to build what it calls “ultra high-speed” broadband networks in some parts of the U.S., the company announced Wednesday.
The fiber networks will deliver 1Gbps (gigabit per second) connections to homes at prices that will be “competitive,” the company said. The services would cover between 50,000 and 500,000 people.
“Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone,” wrote Google product managers Minnie Ingersoll and James Kelly in a blog post.
Google wants to help promote the creation of ultra high-speed networks because they are necessary for next-generation Internet services and applications that are bandwidth intensive in areas like education, health and entertainment.
Google will offer its networks through what it calls an “open access” model, so that customers have access to multiple service providers.
“We don’t think we have all the answers—but through our trial, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of delivering faster and better Internet for everyone,” they wrote.
Local governments and residents can nominate their communities through March 26 through this page. Google will later announce the locations selected.