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Google Fiber Network Coming to Iowa City Area?By Jami Brinton, Reporter
JOHNSON COUNTY - What if you had internet access that was 100 times faster than your current household connection?
It could be possible thanks to a new Google project. Four Johnson County communities have united to form the Iowa City Area Broadband Coalition (ICABC) in hopes that Google picks this area to be part of its first high-speed broadband network. Google's goal with these new networks is to figure out new ways to make internet access better and faster for everyone, according to information posted on its project overview website. Like the ability for university staff and students more access to online materials from wherever they're at. “It would make it possible for students in a research setting to take data home and process it,” said Karl Taylor, a junior at the University of Iowa. Quicker internet might also boost economic development. Coralville’s City Administrator Kelly Hayworth said “this is the type of service of the future” and being one of the first communities in the nation to have it would be a great thing for current businesses and efforts to recruit new businesses to the area. Plus, community leaders believe this new network and all its perks could be especially beneficial for the new University of Iowa outpatient clinics soon to be built here. “That’s a prime example of how this could be of great service to a company,” said Hayworth. Kristopher Ackerson who is coordinating the area’s application to Google said that this new technology would likely mean physicians could reference “the same file at the same time so it is almost real time because of this increased speed.” These are just some of the many reasons why several hope they can woo Google to Iowa. “I think Iowa City has a lot of intrinsic resources and values that will probably make it a competitor for this program without a lot of gimmicks,” said Ackerson. Applications for the Google Fiber project are being accepted through March 26. ICABC has launched a website – www.icabc.org – to encourage residents to learn more about the project, and to help support the ICABC application by submitting nominations to Google. Interested parties can also keep up-to-date on this project through Facebook and Twitter. More Good Stuff |
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