MONROE - Michael Boyce, Monroe, a candidate for alderman in Ward 3, announced Thursday that he will ask Mayor Ron Marsh to apply for Monroe to be a test site for Google's ultra high broadband network.
Google announced Feb. 10 its intentions to build and test, in a small number of trial locations across the country, ultra-high broadband networks with speeds of 1 gigabit per second and fiber-to-the-home connections. The networks would deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, according to Google.
"This could be huge," Boyce said in an interview Thursday with The Times.
Boyce will ask specifically for the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee, which he said would be better able to make the request and to complete a Request for Information (RFI).
"Judging from my review, it would be best for a committee to do it, because it would take input from a variety of departments," Boyce said.
In a press release Thursday, Boyce stated that the City of Monroe must explore every opportunity to improve its technology infrastructure as a way to increase citizen participation in government, and to increase its economic competitiveness. Being selected as a Google test community "would be an incredible boost to both of these goals," he added.
"Focusing on sewers and roads, and building a new firehouse are important, but having our government explore and employ the awesome technological advancements available today will provide the citizens of Monroe unimaginable opportunity," Boyce said.
According to Google's Web site promotion of the test trials, "ultra high-speed bandwidth will drive more innovation - in high-definition video, remote data storage, real-time multimedia collaboration ... It will enable new consumer applications, as well as medical, educational, and other services that can benefit communities."
Boyce said he will send his request to the mayor by the end of the week, and hopes the city will act quickly, because time of the essence.
The RFI must be completed by March 26.
Google will use the RFIs to assess factors such as the level of community support, local resources, weather conditions, approved construction methods and local regulatory issues. They will also take into account broadband availability and speeds that are already offered to users within the community. Google plans to consult with local government organizations, as well as conduct site visits and meet with local officials, before announcing their final decision this year.
Google expects to provide the service, "at a competitive price," to a minimum of 50,000 people and up to as many as 500,000 people, most likely in multiple communities.
Google announced Feb. 10 its intentions to build and test, in a small number of trial locations across the country, ultra-high broadband networks with speeds of 1 gigabit per second and fiber-to-the-home connections. The networks would deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, according to Google.
"This could be huge," Boyce said in an interview Thursday with The Times.
Boyce will ask specifically for the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee, which he said would be better able to make the request and to complete a Request for Information (RFI).
"Judging from my review, it would be best for a committee to do it, because it would take input from a variety of departments," Boyce said.
In a press release Thursday, Boyce stated that the City of Monroe must explore every opportunity to improve its technology infrastructure as a way to increase citizen participation in government, and to increase its economic competitiveness. Being selected as a Google test community "would be an incredible boost to both of these goals," he added.
"Focusing on sewers and roads, and building a new firehouse are important, but having our government explore and employ the awesome technological advancements available today will provide the citizens of Monroe unimaginable opportunity," Boyce said.
According to Google's Web site promotion of the test trials, "ultra high-speed bandwidth will drive more innovation - in high-definition video, remote data storage, real-time multimedia collaboration ... It will enable new consumer applications, as well as medical, educational, and other services that can benefit communities."
Boyce said he will send his request to the mayor by the end of the week, and hopes the city will act quickly, because time of the essence.
The RFI must be completed by March 26.
Google will use the RFIs to assess factors such as the level of community support, local resources, weather conditions, approved construction methods and local regulatory issues. They will also take into account broadband availability and speeds that are already offered to users within the community. Google plans to consult with local government organizations, as well as conduct site visits and meet with local officials, before announcing their final decision this year.
Google expects to provide the service, "at a competitive price," to a minimum of 50,000 people and up to as many as 500,000 people, most likely in multiple communities.