In 2013, we’re going to hit the ground running, finishing installations in Dub’s Dread, and then quickly moving on to five more fiberhoods. Based on pre-registration results, the next fiberhoods on the list are Piper Schools, Delaware Ridge, Painted Hills, Open Door and Arrowhead. And we have some more good news for folks in some of these areas—we’ve extended a few fiberhood boundaries slightly, so that more people can get Google Fiber. You can see the new boundaries below and on our website, where you can check to see if your home is now eligible.
View Next Five Google Fiber Fiberhoods in a larger map
If you live in one of these fiberhoods and want Google Fiber, you must select your service plan by your deadline, listed below. We’ll start installing Fiber in your area shortly after the date listed.
Piper Schools — choose your plan by January 31, 2013 Delaware Ridge — choose your plan by February 14, 2013 Painted Hills — choose your plan by February 28, 2013 Open Door — choose your plan by February 28, 2013 Arrowhead — choose your plan by March 7, 2013
You can go to google.com/fiber right now to choose your plan—pick from our Gigabit + TV Plan, Gigabit Internet Plan or our Free Internet Plan. Can’t tell what you want from the website? Come visit us at the Fiber Space in Kansas City, where you can test out the Google Fiber experience.
This year, Google Fiber can be your ultimate stocking stuffer, your holiday gift that keeps on giving, your great start to a new year ... or just simply a great investment for you and your family.
Posted by Rachel Hack, Community Manager, Google Fiber
We’ve been working in a few homes over the last few weeks to make sure we can deliver a great experience, and along the way we’ve thought a lot about what “great” might mean. We want it to take the amount of time we (and you!) think it’s going to take. We want to be able to explain what we’re doing in easy to understand language, so it makes sense to you and it’s not just tech jargon! And of course we’re aiming for “one and done”—one visit, everything working when we leave your home.
There are two stages to getting you connected. First, we'll pull your Fiber from the street to the side of your house; we’ve already done this for several houses in Hanover Heights. Then we'll get in touch with you to schedule the second stage, your in-home installation. We’ve put together a short video to help you understand what to expect.
If you live in Hanover Heights and see a new box on the side of your house (and have gotten a Google Fiber sticky note on your door), look for an email or phone call from us in the next few days to schedule an appointment. When the installer arrives, he/she will ask you about where you want your devices and then get to work.
We’ve found that the difference between dreading an installation and feeling like you had a good experience comes down to us caring about the details that matter the most to you. For example, we’ll show up when we’re supposed to—at the start of your appointment, not somewhere in the middle. We’ll clean up any mess; each installer carries a vacuum cleaner. And we’ll answer your questions and teach you about your devices—don’t be afraid to ask us questions, or to ask us to explain something again in simpler language.
We think that these small details can make your installation efficient, helpful and memorable. And, if you have any ideas or suggestions that would make it even better, let us know!
Posted by Alana Karen, Director, Service Delivery, Google Fiber
Whether you're searching for stock tips or workout tips; whether you're looking to check off your holiday shopping lists or looking for shows for the kids; whether you want to catch some football or some fútbol, we've got you covered.
BabyTV, Big Ten Network, Fox Business Network, Fox College Sports Atlantic, Fox College Sports Central, Fox College Sports Pacific, Fox Deportes, Fox Movie Channel, Fox News Channel, Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, FS Kansas City, Fuel TV, FX, HSN2, KPXEDT2 - Qubo, KPXEDT3 - ION Life, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Channel, Speed, Utilisima
Posted by Larry Yang, Google Fiber Product Manager
As we’ve worked with the community to build Google Fiber in Kansas City, we’ve been inspired by the creativity and ingenuity of local entrepreneurs. So this year, we’re excited to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week, KC by co-hosting three different events throughout the week. We’d love for you to join us at any of them.
Your life in the cloud Have you ever wondered how you can use the cloud to make your life easier? Or even wondered what cloud computing is? Tomorrow we’ll be at the Compute Midwest Conference, where Brad Abrams, a Product Manager on our Cloud Platform Team, will give a keynote speech about the evolution of, and future of, Cloud Computing. Brad will talk about what the cloud computing means, how it works, and, most importantly, how you can use it in your life. You can RSVP for Brad’s talk (and many others) at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts on Friday, Nov. 9th at 11:35 AM Central Time.
Develop the apps of the future Hackers and developers from around Kansas City will gather together on Saturday morning, Nov. 10th, to kick off the first-ever hackathon in the Google Fiber Space. The Compute Midwest Hackathon, sponsored by Kansas City IT Professionals, is a 24-hour app-building challenge, where hackers compete to develop the best new app. We’ll have a Fiber connection available for any hackers who want to try out Google Fiber speeds, and there are prizes available for the winners. Hacker slots are sold out, but you can come see presentations of the apps on Sunday morning, Nov. 11th at 10:30AM Central Time at the Fiber Space.
Build your startup Finally, next Tuesday, Nov. 13th, we’re partnering with the Kauffman Foundation to bring you a day full of workshops and trainings to help you build and grow a successful business with the web and mobile. During our Google for Entrepreneurs session, Google engineers and product experts will teach you about our platforms and tools that can help you create innovative applications and growing businesses. At the end of the day, we’ll have a networking and cocktail reception. Please RSVP if you’d like to join us.
Hopefully we’ll see you some time this week!
If you want Google Fiber, go to our website now and select your service plan. Remember, even if you’ve already pre-registered, you still need to go online and select which plan you want: TV + Gigabit Internet, Gigabit Internet or Free Internet.
This is important: If you haven’t selected your plan by November 15th, we will not build to your home at this time, and we don’t currently have plans to come back to Dub's Dread.
We also have some good news for some folks near Dub's Dread—we’ve extended Google Fiber eligibility to approximately 400 homes that weren’t originally included in the pre-registration rally. We had a ton of demand for service in the area surrounding Dub's Dread, so we’re extending the area’s boundary by a few blocks. You can see the new eligibility map below, or check your address on the Dub's Dread section of our website.
View Dub's Dread fiberhood boundaries in a larger map
Questions? Still trying to pick which service plan is best for you? Stop by the Fiber Space at 1814 Westport Road to experience Fiber first hand. If you have questions, give us a call at 866-777-7550.
1. Anyone in a qualified fiberhood can get Google Fiber. Even if you didn’t pre-register for service, anyone in our 180 qualified fiberhoods can still sign up now.
2. Pre-registration is different than signing up. Pre-registration helped qualify your fiberhood for service—but to get service in your home, you need to choose your plan. If you haven’t gone to our website and selected which service plan you want (either Gigabit + TV package, Gigabit Internet plan, or Free Internet), you aren’t signed up for Google Fiber and you won’t get service. Head over to google.com/fiber to sign up now.
3. If you miss your fiberhood’s signup deadline, we can’t commit to building Google Fiber to your home. Once we build Google Fiber in your fiberhood, we won’t be coming back anytime soon—we have a lot of other people who want service, and we need to bring Google Fiber to their homes! So make sure you sign up soon and don’t miss your deadline. For those of you in Hanover Heights, this date is coming up in one week, on October 2.
So, how can you sign up for service? Just go to google.com/fiber, enter your address and follow the steps to select your service package. If you’ve already pre-registered, you don’t owe any money. If you never pre-registered, but your fiberhood is eligible for service, you’ll pay a $10 registration fee, which will go towards your first month’s bill.
If you want more information about our different service packages, you can visit our website or the Fiber Space in Kansas City, where you can enjoy Google Fiber live. Questions? Email us or give us a toll-free call: (866) 777-7550.
From news to sports; from cartoons to Spanish-language, here are our new channels: Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, HLN, hTV, infinito, MLB Network Strike Zone (as part of an add-on package),TBS, TCM: Turner Classic Movies, TNT and truTV.
Posted by Larry Yang, Senior Product Manager, Google Fiber
We’re really excited about this for a few reasons. First, it means that residents in 89% of Kansas City, Kan. and central Kansas City, Mo. fiberhoods will be able to get brand new, next-generation Fiber connected to their home. One gigabit connectivity will have an immediate impact on our users—the web will be faster, TV will be clearer, and uploading and downloading will be super speedy. Not only that, but we fully expect that gigabit speeds will lead to a wave of online innovation, led by Kansas City.
But we’re also excited because... well, because you’re excited. Our network is entirely built by demand, and clearly, there’s a lot of demand. So, without further ado, we’re happy to announce that the first fiberhood to receive Fiber will be Hanover Heights in Kansas City, Kan. Hanover Heights was the very first fiberhood to qualify (within two hours of our July announcement), and they kept up the momentum over the six-week rally, pre-registering the highest percentage of households in Kansas City, Kan.
We plan to install Google Fiber for our first customer in Hanover Heights within the next few weeks, and then we’ll move on to other fiberhoods on the Kansas side. To give Kansas Citians an idea of when they’ll get Fiber, we’ve published this approximate construction schedule.
On the Missouri side, the first fiberhood to get service will be Crown Center, which pre-registered a whopping number of apartment buildings and condos. Right now we’re still busy deploying infrastructure in central Kansas City, Mo., and we’ll start installing Google Fiber to Crown Center residents and other Missouri fiberhoods next spring.
It’s important to note that our construction schedule isn’t set in stone—many factors, such as a harsh winter, may affect timing. But we plan to be as transparent as possible if our estimates change, and we’ll post any new information on our website.
So what’s next?
Sign up now for Google Fiber
Our pre-registration process helped us determine where to build Google Fiber. Now it’s time for the next step—signing up for your service plan.
Anyone in a qualified fiberhood can sign up for Google Fiber, regardless of whether you pre-registered or not. Here’s how:
Go to fiber.google.com and select “Sign up now.” On the next page, enter your address, and hit “Check Address” to confirm that your fiberhood is qualified. Select your service plan and any add-ons. Visit our website for more information about your options. Sign in to your Google account. If you’ve already pre-registered for Fiber, sign in using the same email address you used to pre-register. If not, you can use an existing Google account, or create a new one. If you haven’t already pre-registered, you’ll enter your billing information and pay your $10 pre-registration fee, which will be applied to your first bill. If you have already pre-registered, you don’t have to pay anything until you actually have service in your home.
If you want more information or advice about our service plans, or if you have any questions about the signup process, we’re always here to help via email, phone or chat. And, if you’re having a hard time deciding amongst the different service plans, you can stop by our Fiber Space at Stateline & Westport Rd. to try out all of the options.
Posted by Kevin Lo, General Manager Google Access
We just added a number of additional channels covering a variety of genres, including arts, family, faith, lifestyle and sports. Google Fiber TV service already includes almost two hundred channels, but we’ll continue to add more over time. And since our TV service runs on a gigabit network, we can offer access to all our HD channels for no extra charge.
Check back here tomorrow when we’ll share the final list of fiberhoods that have qualified for Google Fiber and the order in which they’ll be constructed, along with more details about how to sign up.
Newly Added Channels: ABC Family, ABC News Now, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Longhorn Network, Ovation, SOAPnet, TBN, TBN Enlace, Velocity
Pre-registration just closed, and at least 180 out of 202 fiberhoods have qualified for service.
This number has blown us away—and it’s not even the final tally. We’re still processing some final address verification requests and pre-registrations from apartment buildings and condos. On Thursday we’ll share the final list of fiberhoods that have qualified for Google Fiber and the order in which they’ll be constructed, along with more details about the next steps. So stay tuned!
This rally has been the first step in working toward one of the long-term core goals of Google Fiber—increasing access to the Internet. That’s why we’re connecting libraries, schools and community buildings in qualified fiberhoods. But affordable access at home is important too. So one of the three packages we offer is a Free Internet plan. Homes in Kansas City can get their own Fiber connection and today’s average Internet speeds for $0 per month, plus a construction fee.
We’ve been working hard to get the word out about Google Fiber. And we’ve learned from our many conversations—spontaneously on the street and at hundreds of community events—that offering an affordable service is only one step towards increasing Internet access. In fact, studies show that the main reason people don’t want the Internet is that they don’t think the web is relevant. So, over the past six weeks, we’ve worked side-by-side with many amazing community organizations to try and lessen the digital divide, and spread the word that access to the Internet is an essential element of everyday life.
Together we’ve made good progress during this pre-registration period, but there’s still work to be done. Some fiberhoods won’t qualify this time around. If you live in one of those fiberhoods, we want you to know that we’ve heard your concerns. We will include you in a future rally sometime next year, when you can try to qualify for Fiber again.
We’ve been truly inspired by, and have learned so much from, the efforts of local nonprofits, community centers, libraries, schools, and churches to pre-register their neighbors. And we want to continue working with these groups as they promote digital literacy throughout the community. So going forward, we aim to support great organizations in Kansas City in a programmatic and strategic way, through grants and joint educational efforts focused on digital literacy. Together we will work to equip Kansas Citians with the knowledge and tools they need to get online and use the web to their advantage for education, job hunting and more. We’ll have more details about this program soon.
We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this community. Thank you, Kansas City!
Posted by Kevin Lo, General Manager, Google Access
The pre-registration period will be over on Sunday, September 9th at 11:59:59 pm CDT, so that means there are only two days left to help your fiberhood. We’ll be all around town this weekend to help out—including booths at Black Expo and Fiesta Hispana and a presence at the Central Avenue Parade celebration in downtown Kansas City, Kan. And as always, we’ll also be at the Fiber Space at 1814 Westport Rd. to answer your questions and help you pre-register.
Remember, Google Fiber works better when communities are connected together. So let’s do this for Kansas City!
Posted by Carlos Casas, Google Fiber Team Manager
A note regarding addresses: While we’ve resolved the vast majority of address issues, it’s still possible to run into an error while pre-registering—please don’t let that stop you! If you live in a fiberhood and get an address error message for your residence when you’re trying to pre-register, please reach out to us directly or via our website’s address review process. Even if you run into an address issue on the last day of rally, we’ll work through it so you can be counted towards your fiberhood’s goal.
Finally, keep an eye out for our Fiber team throughout the community. If you have any last minutes questions or concerns, and you want to talk to someone in person, they’re happy to help.
Posted by Alana Karen, Director, Service Delivery, Google Fiber @gfiberalana
If this describes you (hardcore NFL nut) and you live in Kansas City, Google Fiber TV service is the perfect new service for you.
You’re probably already excited that the Google Fiber TV service includes NFL Network. We’re very excited to be working with the NFL Network to bring the best of the NFL—including Thursday Night Football—to everyone in Kansas City.
We’re also pleased to announce pricing for an additional channel called NFL RedZone. NFL RedZone gives fans live look-ins and highlights every Sunday afternoon during the season, switching to a game when a team is in the red zone.
We’re offering the NFL RedZone 2012 package for $40 for the season, payable in $10/month increments over 4 months. We’ll let you add RedZone at any time during the season, and you’ll only pay for the remaining months.
NFL Network and NFL RedZone are the first of many offerings we will have for the sports enthusiast. We will be adding more channels and add-on packages, so stay tuned.
Central Library (downtown), 14th West 10th St., Kansas City, MO, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Union Station Grant Hall, 30 West Pershing Rd. #400, Kansas City, MO, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Main Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Northeast Branch Library, 6000 Wilson Rd., Kansas City, MO, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Outside Papa Lews Restaurant, 2128 East 12th St., Kansas City, MO, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Nutter Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center, 3700 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, MO, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bluford Branch Library, 3050 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, MO, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Miracle Temple Church, 2106 Quindaro Blvd., Kansas City, KS, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. West Wyandotte Library, 1737 North 82nd St., Kansas City, KS, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Dollar General parking lot, East 73rd St. & Prospect Ave., Kansas City, MO, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Our Fiber Team will also make stops throughout the week in various Kansas City fiberhoods, so please say hello, pre-register and spread the word if you see us. And as always, we’re at the Fiber Space at 1814 Westport Rd. to assist you. Stop by at any of these locations. We’d love to see you!
But aside from offering a good product, we’re also trying to be different in another way—we want to listen to customer feedback and implement it into our service. So, when some Kansas Citians asked us to review their pre-registration goals, we listened.
Our build-by-demand model is unique. It will keep our prices low by using efficient networking and construction processes. And, in order to make it work, we need accurate data to define the number of residential addresses in each fiberhood. Since we were hearing some concerns about pre-registration goals, we sent our street teams back out into Kansas City, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo. to figure out what changes we needed to make.
Counting and confirming addresses in this way is actually a pretty difficult process. We found that, while we’d relied on a variety of sources to determine how many residences were in each fiberhood, the data wasn’t 100% accurate—specifically around vacant lots, abandoned homes and large apartment buildings—and therefore affected our pre-registration goals. Based on our new (and better) data, we’ve decided to adjust some fiberhood pre-registration thresholds.
The changes slightly affect 73 fiberhoods. Out of these fiberhoods, the ones that are below their pre-registration goals are now closer to getting qualified. For the affected fiberhoods that were already past their goals, they now have a higher pre-registration percentage, which means they may get fiber sooner. You can look on our Kansas City, Kan. Fiber page or our Kansas City, Mo. Fiber page to check on the status of your fiberhood.
Many thanks to the Kansas Citians who followed up with us about their fiberhoods. It’s really helpful to have your feedback and suggestions! There are only 9 days left until the end of pre-registration, so hopefully some of these new goals will encourage you to pre-register now and help your fiberhood to meet its goal. In the meantime, come visit us if you have any questions.
How much will the TV boxes cost? Your first TV box - plus the Nexus 7 Tablet - are included for free in the Gigabit + TV package. For those of you who want Google Fiber on multiple televisions in your home, you can add extra TV Boxes for $5 each/month for 24 months. You also have the option to purchase TV boxes upfront for $120/ea. Extra boxes include a standard remote control but not a tablet.
What will the wiring and equipment look like? I don’t want my Fiber installation to affect the aesthetics of my house! We hear you! We made our devices sleek and small so they don’t overtake your living room. We want you to notice Google Fiber’s high speeds and great experience, not the wiring or devices.
Our installers will go over all the details with you when they arrive to make sure you’re comfortable with exactly what is being installed and where it is going, but here’s a basic overview for now At first, the majority of our work in your fiberhood will be outside, getting Google Fiber ready to bring to homes. We’ll be stringing Fiber on utility poles, and, in some cases, installing it in the ground. Next, we’ll bring our Fiber connection from the street to the side of your house. This will happen before your scheduled installation appointment, but we will let you know that we’re coming and knock on your door before we go to the side of your house. Once Fiber is connected to the side of your house, we’ll contact you to schedule your installation. On your installation day the first thing we’ll do is drill a hole (tiny) in an exterior wall to bring the fiber inside. Then, we’ll cover the hole with a mounted wall plate and Fiber Jack on the interior wall. The Fiber Jack, which is about the size of a deck of cards, will convert the fiber into a gigabit Ethernet connection, which will then connect to your Network Box. The Network Box is your Google Fiber router, enabling wired and wireless connectivity to all devices throughout your house. You get to decide where everything will go (within reason). Our installer will be happy to help you figure out device placement. If you are a Gigabit + TV customer, the final installation step will include installing the Storage Box right next to the Network Box and then hooking up each of the TV Boxes you’ve ordered.
I’m not sure if I’ll still be in my house in a year. Tell me more about the contracts and terms of service. The answer to this question will probably depend a lot on the construction timing for your fiberhood and your potential move plans. During the signup period, we'll be more than happy to discuss and help you think through your specific options, and, of course, you can review all of the subscriber terms when you sign-up. But the basic answer is as follows:
You can cancel your service any time before we begin construction in your fiberhood (only your $10 registration fee is non-refundable). If you decide to cancel Google Fiber service after it has been installed at your home, you’ll be responsible for:
$300 Construction Fee:
if you have had any Google Fiber service for more than one year, you owe nothing if you paid the construction fee in full, you owe nothing otherwise, you owe $25 x the number of months remaining in your first year of service
Devices for Gigabit + TV Customers:
if you have had Gigabit + TV service for more than two years, you owe nothing otherwise, you may return the devices in good working order within 45 days of cancellation or you may pay a prorated amount based upon the value of the devices
If you own your home and are considering a move, you may want to think about Google Fiber as a home-improvement. According to the Fiber-to-the-Home Council, a fiber drop can add thousands of dollars in value to the appraisal value of a house.
Where are the hidden costs? What’s the fine print? There are none. These aren’t promotional rates. We won’t make you call us every six months to keep the price you see on the website. You don’t need to cancel and then restart to get a better “online offer.” No shenanigans; just fast Internet and simple service. We want you to spend your time discovering what 100x the possibilities looks like, not on the phone with us. (Unless you want to call us, in which case, we’d love to chat!)
As always, if you have questions above and beyond what we’ve covered here, please visit us at 1814 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO or get in touch with us at 866-777-7550.
Posted by Lisa Haffenreffer, Google Fiber Service Delivery Team
There are only 12 days left until the Google Fiber rally ends, and some fiberhoods still haven’t reached their pre-registration goals. Your community needs your help. Mobilize your neighbors, otherwise the opportunity to get a gig might pass you by. And remember, not only will you be able to enjoy Google Fiber at your home, your community will also see the benefits, since we’ll be connecting schools, libraries, hospitals and more in qualified fiberhoods.
Here’s what you can do:
There’s not a lot of time left, and we’re eager to help you and your neighbors with as much information as you’d like about Google Fiber. If you want to become a Google Fiber Ambassador, fill out this form and we’ll get back to you shortly. You can also download informational flyers right here to print and share. And if you want a Google Fiber sign for your yard, come pick one up at our our Fiber Space at 1814 Westport Rd. where you can also see demos of what a gig can do, ask questions in person to members of our Google Fiber team, and get help with pre-registration.
We’ll also be holding several events around town during the rest of the rally, including a pre-registration drive from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM next Saturday, September 8 at the Fiber Space Lounge. Bring your friends and neighbors for some food and fun entertainment.
Finally, as always, please check out our online FAQ or contact us by email, chat, or phone anytime. We’re here to help!
Mi familia vino desde la Ciudad de México a Kansas City cuando yo tenía once años. No fue fácil. De repente, me encontré sumergido en una cultura nueva y, para empeorar las cosas, no sabía nada de inglés. Esto podría haber sido un grave problema para mi educación y desarrollo, pero lo que sucedió en su lugar es testimonio de la gran comunidad de apoyo que tenemos en KC. El Guadalupe Centers ayudó a mi familia a buscar un lugar para vivir, se aseguró de que había comida suficiente en nuestra mesa y colaboró a que mi hermana y yo entráramos a la escuela. Mi profesora de la escuela Northeast Middle School, Ms. Peterson, se esforzó todo lo que pudo para ayudarme a aprender inglés y a ponerme al día con mis estudios. Después de años de duro trabajo, recibí una beca para ir a la Pembroke Hill School, y más adelante pasé a estudiar en la Universidad de Kansas. Me cuesta trabajo imaginar cómo hacer todo esto sin acceso a Internet. Todavía recuerdo el día en que mi mamá nos consiguió nuestra primera computadora, y cuánto más fácil se me hizo el aprender, estudiar y permanecer en contacto con mi familia en México.
Hoy trabajo en el equipo de Google Fiber aquí en Kansas City. Y ahora, más que nunca, creo que el acceso a Internet es esencial. La Web no es sólo para el establecimiento de una red social y para e-mail: consiste en encontrar y solicitar trabajos. Consiste en educación y gestión financiera inteligentes. Quiero poder devolverle a esta comunidad que me ha dado tanto, y ayudar a todos a tener acceso a Internet.
Este artículo está escrito específicamente para aquellos de nosotros que hablamos español. Queremos que sepan todo sobre Google Fiber, las ventajas que podría traer a nuestra comunidad, y cómo pueden registrarse para recibir el servicio.
Para hacer eso, contamos con algunos recursos que puedes utilizar:
Nuestro sitio Web está disponible en español. Para ver en qué consiste Google Fiber, cuánto cuesta y cómo conseguirlo, visita nuestra página Web en español.
Contamos con materiales educativos en español. Ven a este sitio Web si quieres leer o descargar un folleto informativo con Google Fiber planes y precios. También tenemos folletos informativos en nuestro espacio Fiber Space en el 1814 de Westport Rd, de los que estaremos encantados de darte copias si nos visitas.
Tenemos representantes de Atención al Cliente que hablan español. Quieren hablar contigo y contestar a tus preguntas acerca de Fiber. Llámalos al (866) 777-7550 y pulsa uno para español.
La comunidad de Kansas City es muy importante para mí. Y deseo hacer todo lo que pueda para ayudar a que todos puedan conectarse. Si te interesa Fiber, aprovecha por favor estas oportunidades para obtener más información sobre el servicio. Y, si tienes preguntas, siempre puedes venir y hablar conmigo en el Fiber Space. Esperamos verte allí.
Publicado por Carlos Casas, Manager del equipo de Google Fiber
My family moved from Mexico City to Kansas City when I was eleven years old. It wasn’t easy. I was suddenly immersed in an entirely new culture, and, to make matters worse, I didn’t know any English. This could have been a big problem for my education and development—but what happened instead is a testament to the supportive community we have in KC. The Guadalupe Centers helped my family find a place to live, made sure we had food on our table and helped my sister and me get into school. My teacher at Northeast Middle School, Ms. Peterson, went above and beyond to help me learn English and get me caught up with my studies. After years of hard work, I received a scholarship to the Pembroke Hill School, and later went on to the University of Kansas. It’s hard for me to imagine going through my journey without access to the Internet. I still remember the day my mom got us our first computer, and how much easier it made learning, studying and staying in touch with my family back in Mexico.
Today I work on the Google Fiber team here in Kansas City. And now, more than ever, I believe that access to the Internet is important. The web isn’t just about social networking and email—it’s about finding and applying for jobs. It’s about smart financial management and education. I want to give back to the community that has given me so much, and help them get online.
This post is specifically for those of you who speak Spanish. We want to tell you all about Google Fiber, the benefits that it could bring to our community, and how you can pre-register for service.
To do that, we have some resources that you can use:
Our website is available in Spanish. Visit our Spanish website to learn about what Google Fiber is, how much it costs and how to get it.
We have educational materials in Spanish. Visit this website to read or download a brochure with information about Google Fiber plans and prices. We also have flyers with information at our Fiber Space at 1814 Westport Rd, and we’re happy to give you copies if you come visit us.
We have customer service representatives who speak Spanish. They want to talk to you and answer your questions about Fiber. Give them a call at (866) 777-7550 and press one for Spanish.
The Kansas City community is so important to me. And I want to do everything I can to help everyone get connected. If you’re interested in Fiber, please take advantage of all of these great opportunities to learn about service. And, if you have questions, you can always come and talk to me at the Fiber Space. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Since pre-registration opened on July 26th, we’ve been verifying residential addresses reported to us via customer support or website address reviews. So far we’ve been able to resolve over half of the open questions from MDUs and single family homes. The remaining addresses, mainly in MDUs, required a deeper level of verification. In order to confirm these, we’ve been contacting property owners and managers. We’ve also visited hundreds of condos and apartment complexes to get a list of unit numbers.
We’re hard at work updating our address data and responding to the remaining customers later this week. I promise we’re putting all hands on deck to close this out ASAP.
Thank you to @jasonfharper, @bigcomedown, and all the other Kansas Citians who have contacted us regarding this issue.
Join us this Sunday, August 19th, at the Fiber Space where we’ll be hosting demonstrations and answering questions about what Google Fiber means for education in Kansas City. We’ve also lined up some unique local entertainment and treats for guests, including storytelling via telepresence, face painting, special Google Fiber schwag and of course, food.
If you’re interested in the impact that Google Fiber can have on education and you can’t wait to join us on Sunday, you can learn more now. Check out this blog post about technology and education, written by Dr. Cynthia Lane, superintendent of Kansas City, Kan. Public Schools. You can also tune in on our YouTube channel to hear some thoughts from fellow Kansas Citians.
Please drop in and join us on Sunday and help spread the word to other faculty, students, and parents!
Event Recap: Back to School Day at the Fiber Space Sunday, August 19, 2012 Noon to 6:00PM 1814 Westport Rd. Kansas City, MO
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Almost 100 years ago, the poet Kahlil Gibran wrote of children: “...Their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” When I think about the students in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and about their futures, I realize that the world that they are growing into will be very much different than the world that my generation grew into. Life moves forward, not backward, and it is our job to help our students move forward into their world.
To do this, we have a goal as a system: “Every student will graduate prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, students will be on-track and on-time for success.” One of the things that every student will need to graduate prepared for college and careers is a strong experience with and ability to use technology. Unfortunately, in a district where more than 85% of our students are eligible for free/reduced lunch, many of our students would not ordinarily have access to technology at home. That is the reason that, back in 2007, our district made the decision to lease a laptop computer for every high school student.
Now in the sixth year of the Laptop for Learning program, our students have used their laptops to move away from being merely “consumers” of information ten years ago, to being “producers” of information and knowledge today. Among other things, they have used their computers to create impressive multi-media presentations, to design provocative works of art, and to sequence DNA in a plant that had never been sequenced before.
Even with this tremendous power in their hands, many of our students have suffered by not having 24/7 access to the full power of technology that comes from having access to the Internet. For that reason, I was thrilled when I learned that Google Fiber was going to bring high-speed connectivity to Kansas City, Kansas. Having access to blazing-fast Internet speeds, both at school and at home, will open up our students’ lives and accelerate their learning, in a number of ways.
First, it will help to connect them to the world, allowing them to use technology both to see the world and to bring the world to them. Next, it will allow us to “flip” the classroom, giving students access to high-quality videos at home, where they can learn at their own pace, while classroom time can be used for practice, working collaboratively with other students under the guidance of their instructors.
Finally, it will help us to share all of the wonderful things happening in our schools with our community and the world. We will be able to broadcast musical and theatrical performances, debate and forensic tournaments, athletic events, and even academic “assessments,” where students demonstrate their knowledge of a subject through a live “demonstration.”
High-speed fiber will make a tremendous difference for this community and for our students. I am thrilled that Kansas City, Kansas has been given the opportunity to participate in the beginning of this amazing revolution.
Posted by Dr. Cynthia Lane, Superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
On our website we’ve updated our Plans & Pricing page to be clearer about which channels will be offered with our Gigabit + TV package. Right now there are about 185 channels included, and we’ll continue to add more of your favorites over the next few months. So, for $120, our Gigabit + TV subscribers will get all of these channels, along with a new Nexus 7 tablet (which doubles as your new remote) and ultra fast Gigabit Internet. You’ll also get HD content and a DVR with 2TB of storage that can record up to 8 shows at a time for no extra charge. And remember, for this package we’re waiving the $300 construction fee.
For our TV customers who are also movie fans, there’s more. We’re excited to offer both Starz and Showtime as optional add-on packages. Both packages are full of popular HD movie channels, with enough action, drama, and family-oriented programming to keep movie lovers happy for years. Our Gigabit + TV customers can add on 17 Starz channels for an additional $10 per month. They can also add on 11 Showtime channels for an additional $10 per month.
Finally, our TV service already offers some great Spanish-language programming. But we’ll also have some additional popular Hispanic channels available for an additional $5 per month, including Univision tlnovelas, Bandamax, and Telehit.
In summary, here are the three new add-on packages that will be available for our Gigabit + TV customers:
• Starz ($10/month for Gigabit + TV customers): Starz, Starz Cinema, Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, Starz in Black, Starz Kids and Family, Encore, Encore Action, Encore Español, Encore Family, Encore Love, Encore Drama, Encore Suspense, Encore Westerns, IndiePlex, MoviePlex, RetroPlex
• Showtime ($10/month for Gigabit + TV customers): Showtime, Sho2, Sho Beyond, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Family Zone, Sho Next, Showtime Showcase, Sho Women, Flix, The Movie Channel, The Movie Channel Xtra
• Hispanic ($5/month for Gigabit + TV customers): Univision tlnovelas, FOROTv, Telehit, Bandamax, Ritomoson Latino, De Película, De Película Clásico
All of these channels are also listed on our website, which we’ll continue to update with more information as we add new programming. Stay tuned!
I bet I know what bothers you because it bugs me too. I don’t want to wait on hold. I don’t want to talk to a phone system. I want to talk to one human who knows the answer and can solve my problem quickly. I also want good chat and email options for the times when I can’t talk. When you come to my house, I want you to respect my time and property. And please give me an option of somewhere local where I can talk to you face-to-face. Respect me, and I’ll reward you with my business for years to come.
Day by day, we’ve been making this possible. I hired a great team—a close-knit combination of Google Fiber team members spread across Mountain View, Austin and Kansas City. These are all people who have something to prove; we want to solve problems and change your mind about customer support. We’re training our whole team on friendly processes and smart tools, so that any one of us can handle almost any call. We’re also focused on getting your installation right by showing up when we say we will and doing the job right the first time. We want to surprise you (in a good way).
Right now we’re focused on answering your rally questions, particularly for those of you in fiberhoods whose addresses are not yet recognized by our system. We know resolution there has been slow, and we’re speeding that up. Keep the feedback coming, and we’ll keep learning and improving.
I won’t lie—customer service is hard to do at scale and harder to do with a new product. But hard isn’t impossible, and really, it’s our job. No excuses here. Call us, email or chat; we can’t wait to hear from you.
Posted by Alana Karen, Director of Service Delivery, Google Fiber @GFiberAlana
Like last week, there are a few common questions that are popping up frequently—so let’s take a moment to clear them up here on our blog:
1. When I tried to pre-register for Fiber, I had to submit my address for review. This was a few days ago and I haven’t heard back yet. What’s going on? Don’t worry—we have your request and we’re getting to it. We want to make sure we’re thoroughly reviewing every address we receive. This process takes time, but we’re increasing the number of people on our team who are working on this, and we’ll get back to you shortly.
2. I live in an apartment building and I keep getting a pre-registration error. What should I do? We’re sorry about the inconvenience. We know that we’re having a processing problem with some unit numbers in apartment buildings, but we’re working to fix it. Be sure to fill out our address review form and we’ll get back to you within a few days’ time.
3. I own and rent out property and I want to get Google Fiber. What should I do? First, ask your tenants to pre-register for Google Fiber. Then, please visit this website and provide us with your contact information. If your fiberhood qualifies, we’ll be in touch with you to discuss the details about hooking up your building(s).
4. I completed my pre-registration without having to pay $10. Am I still pre-registered? No. If you did not enter your credit, debit or prepaid debit card, you did not complete the pre-registration process yet. Please visit fiber.google.com and pre-register now.
Hopefully this helps. And, as always, if you have any other questions you can just give us a call, chat with us or email us and we'll help you out. Or come see us at the Fiber Space, 1814 Westport Road in Kansas City, MO.
Next week, we hope to welcome three more communities in Kansas into our Google Fiber service area. We’re happy to announce that we’ve reached a tentative agreement to bring Fiber to the cities of Westwood, Westwood Hills and Mission Woods, Kan. Pending approval from each of the three City Councils, we plan to include these communities in a future rally for Google Fiber (timing to be announced, so stay tuned).
To be clear, this does not change the construction schedule for eligible homes in Kansas City, Kan. and Central Kansas City, Mo. And homes in North and South Kansas City, Mo. will still be able to pre-register for Fiber in our second rally. Today we are simply adding three new Google Fiber communities for a future rally.
To our new communities, welcome! And to Kansas City, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo., keep the pre-registration going. We can't wait to bring a gig to your fiberhoods soon.
Through our many conversations, we’ve noticed that some details about Google Fiber may still be a little unclear. So today we’re going to share and answer some of the top questions we’ve been getting about Google Fiber, so that we can keep everyone up-to-date in Kansas City.
1. When are you building to North and South Kansas City, Mo.? Our first pre-registration phase includes homes in Kansas City, Kan. and homes in Central Kansas City, Mo. But we are definitely committed to serving homes in North and South Kansas City, Mo. in our second pre-registration phase. Residents should stay tuned to google.com/fiber and this blog for more information.
2. I have a business and I can’t pre-register. Why? We’re focused on making residential connections right now, but we’ll have an announcement about a small business offering soon.
3. How did Google determine fiberhood pre-registration goals? Like many of our projects at Google, we relied on data. All fiberhoods are different. They range in size and density as well as speed and ease of Fiber construction. For example, houses that are spread out (like in the suburbs) require more time, fiber and labor, and therefore are more difficult to connect than homes in a dense urban environment. So, in those fiberhoods that are more complicated to build, we want to make sure that enough residents will want Fiber service. We don’t want Fiber to be out of reach for anyone—it’s our hope that the pre-registration goals will be practical and attainable.
4. Help! I’m in a fiberhood but I keep getting a pre-registration error. There are two possible issues here that we're working hard to fix. Some addresses (mostly apartments) with unit numbers are causing errors during pre-registration. Also, the "submit address review" form doesn't always work. In either case, please give us a call, chat with us or email us and we'll help you out.
5. What if I don’t have access to the Internet to learn about Fiber or pre-register? We know that 25% of Kansas Citians don’t have access to broadband at home. So, to help spread the word about Google Fiber, we have a dedicated street team that visits fiberhoods throughout Kansas City, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo. Our teams pass out flyers (and ice cream!), answer questions about Google Fiber and help pre-register anyone who is interested. Look out for our Google Fiber trucks in a fiberhood near you. We also have a local building, or Fiber Space, that Kansas Citians can visit. Google Fiber team members are there every day of the week to answer questions and help with pre-registration.
6. Why is the construction fee for the Free Internet service so expensive? What do I do if I can’t afford it? As a Google Fiber customer, you will have a gigabit-ready Fiber cable routed to, and built directly into, your home. Studies show that simply having this connection will add value to your home and will put you on the cutting edge of broadband technology. We’re charging $300 for this construction.
To make the construction fee more manageable, subscribers can break it into payments of $25 per month during the first year, and free for at least the next six years. Over time, this Free Internet service is very affordable—it works out to an average of $3.57 per month over seven years’ time.
7. Why do I have to pay $10 just to pre-register? Your $10 pre-registration fee will be applied to your Google Fiber service. If your fiberhood qualifies for service, your $10 will go directly to either your first month of service fees (for our Gigabit +TV or Gigabit Internet plans), or to your $300 construction fee (for the Free Internet plan). If your fiberhood does not qualify for service, your $10 will be refunded.
8. How did you choose which public buildings you would connect for free in each fiberhood? When we announced that we’d bring Google Fiber to Kansas City, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo. we also committed to building free, 1 Gigabit per second connections to the cities’ choice of public buildings. Both cities collaborated on a list of the public buildings that they wanted to connect, and then they gave the list to us. We will bring Fiber to these buildings that are located in qualified fiberhoods.
We’ll try and update this blog as we get more questions in. And in the meantime, if you have your own burning questions, there are a lot of resources you can turn to:
• Read our online FAQ, which has a lot of common questions and answers. • Follow Google Fiber on Twitter to find out where our street teams will be visiting • Chat live with a Fiber team member online • Email Google Fiber support • Call Google Fiber support • Visit our Fiber Space and learn about Fiber in-person with our team members (RSVP if you want to avoid a long wait time)
We’re here to help, so get in touch!
Today as we launch Google Fiber in Kansas City, we’re continuing with the same approach. Instead of us deciding where and when we install, we’re asking you.
Tell us if you want Google Fiber in two easy steps:
1. Pre-register: Starting today, if you live in an eligible Kansas City household, you can pre-register by visiting google.com/fiber. All you need to do for pre-registration is provide some basic information (like your name and address) and pay a $10 deposit.
2. Rally your neighbors: Over the next six weeks, get your neighbors and friends to pre-register too.
Here’s why: Google Fiber works better when communities are connected together. So we’ve divided Kansas City into small communities we call “fiberhoods.” We’ll install only where there’s enough interest, and we’ll install sooner in fiberhoods where there’s more interest. You can check out your fiberhood’s pre-registration goal, as well as a real-time status update of all Kansas City fiberhoods on our rankings page.
The rally lasts for six weeks and ends on September 9. When you participate, not only will you help bring Google Fiber to your home, you’ll also help bring it to your community—if your fiberhood reaches its pre-registration goal, we’ll also connect community buildings like schools, libraries and hospitals with free Gigabit Internet.
After the rally, we’ll let you know if your fiberhood has reached its goal. If so, you can sign up for your service package. The first homes will get service shortly after the rally ends, and all qualifying neighborhoods will receive service before the end of 2013.
In the meantime, you can come visit Kansas City’s Google Fiber Space, where you can experience a gigabit first-hand and check out TV in crystal clear high definition. The Fiber Space will be open daily starting this Saturday, July 28. We’ll also be holding events throughout the community during the rally. Stay tuned for more on the Google Fiber KC Blog.
And remember, if you want Google Fiber, you need to pre-register your home by September 9 and tell your neighbors to pre-register too. Let’s do this for Kansas City! Posted by Kevin Lo, General Manager, Google Access
So we’ve put together three service packages that will be available if your fiberhood gets installed:
Gigabit + Google Fiber TV: What’s better than a gig of Internet? A gig plus TV, designed for how you watch today and how you’ll watch tomorrow. Google Fiber TV carries hundreds of channels (including your local favorites) and tens of thousands of shows on demand in crystal clear HD. With eight tuners and 2TB of DVR storage, you’ll never have to miss a show again. You’ll also get a brand new Nexus 7 tablet that you can use as your remote control. Gigabit + Google Fiber TV will cost $120 per month, and we’ll waive the $300 construction fee.
Gigabit Internet: With a gig, you can do everything you love on the web at speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans enjoy today. This package will include a gigabit-enabled network box with advanced WiFi and 1TB of cloud storage on Google Drive. Gigabit Internet will cost $70 per month, and we’ll waive the $300 construction fee.
Free Internet: We know that not everyone is ready to commit to a gig just yet. But we want to make sure you have the opportunity to upgrade when you’re ready. So if you pre-register and your fiberhood gets installed, you’ll have the option to get a 5 megabit per second (Mbps) connection for zero monthly charge, and your home will be wired and ready for the switch. The Free Internet option will cost $0 per month, although you will have to pay a $300 construction fee (which can either be paid at once, or in $25 monthly installments).
You can read more details about the different packages on the Google Fiber site and in the FAQ. Whether you want the full Google Fiber experience including TV, the simple excitement of a gig, or today’s speeds with tomorrow’s options—we’re excited to share the possibilities of a faster Internet.
Our goal is to build products that will help improve our users’ lives. And when it comes to Internet access, it's clear what provides a better user experience:
Fast is better than slow. On the web, nobody wants to wait for a video to buffer or a website to load. Abundance is better than scarcity. There’s a plethora of rich content available online—and it’s increasingly only available to people who have the speeds and means to access it. Choice is better than no choice. Competition and choice help make products better for users.
With that in mind, we embarked on a journey to bring ultra-high speeds to Kansas City, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo. And today, we’re excited to announce Google Fiber. Google Fiber is 100 times faster than today’s average broadband. No more buffering. No more loading. No more waiting. Gigabit speeds will get rid of these pesky, archaic problems and open up new opportunities for the web. Imagine: instantaneous sharing; truly global education; medical appointments with 3D imaging; even new industries that we haven’t even dreamed of, powered by a gig.
When we asked people what they value in their Internet service, the majority of them simply said, “choice.” So we listened. Kansas Citians will choose where we install and when. We’ve divided Kansas City into small communities we call “fiberhoods.” To get service, each fiberhood needs a critical mass of their residents to pre-register. The fiberhoods with the highest pre-registration percentage will get Google Fiber first. Households in Kansas City can pre-register for the next six weeks, and they can rally their neighbors to pre-register, too. Once the pre-registration period is over, residents of the qualified fiberhoods will be able to choose between three different packages (including TV).
It’s easy to forget how revolutionary high-speed Internet access was in the 1990s. Not only did broadband kill the screeching sound of dial-up, it also spurred innovation, helping to create amazing new services as well as new job opportunities for many thousands of Americans. But today the Internet is not as fast as it should be. While high speed technology exists, the average Internet speed in the U.S. is still only 5.8 megabits per second (Mbps)—slightly faster than the maximum speed available 16 years ago when residential broadband was first introduced. Access speeds have simply not kept pace with the phenomenal increases in computing power and storage capacity that’s spurred innovation over the last decade, and that’s a challenge we’re excited to work on.
To find out more about the different service packages and the pre-registration process see our Google Fiber Blog, which we’ll regularly update with new information over the coming weeks. This is an exciting new project for Google and we can’t wait to get homes connected to Google Fiber in Kansas City—because we’re pretty certain that what people do with a gig will be awesome.
Posted by Milo Medin, Vice President, Access Services
See you tomorrow.
Posted by Kevin Lo, General Access Manager
Similarly, as we’re in the process of bringing Google Fiber to Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO, we need to first understand how many people here already have access to broadband, and more importantly, how many don’t. In order to get a grasp on the situation we partnered with a group that’s full of community experts—the Mayor’s Bistate Innovation Team (MBIT)—to commission a study on broadband adoption and digital literacy in Kansas City. Today, we’re gathering with MBIT at the Kansas City, MO Central Library to release and discuss the data that we’ve collected.
The good news is that a lot Kansas Citians seem to recognize the value of the web. Those surveyed said that the Internet can be helpful when it comes to job hunting, getting health information, and learning new things.
Unfortunately, our study also illustrates that there is a real digital divide in both Kansas Cities. We found that 17% of Kansas Citians are not going online at all, and 8% are only using dial-up or slow speed wireless connections.
These stats lead to a follow-up question: why are one-quarter of Kansas Citians not connected to the web at home? We found that one of the primary reasons is cost. 28% of those who don’t use said that they don’t go online because they don’t have a computer, or because Internet access is too expensive. Meanwhile, 41% of respondents said they don’t go online because they just don’t think it’s relevant to their lives.
This is a big deal. Using the Internet isn’t just about checking email and social networking. Access to broadband—and knowing how to use it—has become essential when it comes to jobs, education, business and much more. The web provides a wealth of information and services for Internet users, and people who aren’t online are, simply put, at a huge disadvantage. A job search, for example, is much harder today without the ability to review job listings and apply online. Similarly, computer skills and digital literacy have become perquisites for the majority of job opportunities.
From a policy standpoint, we can try and address these issues by encouraging policies that will make computers and Internet access more affordable, and promote digital literacy initiatives.
But a lot of outreach and education needs to take place on a community level. And that’s why this morning we’ve joined representatives from amazing local nonprofits, schools, libraries, city governments and other community experts in a discussion about how to take action and get Kansas Citians online using broadband Internet access. We’ll post the video of our discussion here as soon as it’s ready. In the meantime, you can peruse or download the full results of our study.
The Google Fiber project is about making the web better and faster—but it’s also about making the Internet more accessible for people throughout Kansas City. Digital inclusion here is a priority for Google, and it’s clear that it’s also a priority for community nonprofits and the local governments.
Update: We're also sharing our research on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood level. You can read or download the findings if you're interested!
Posted by Kenneth Carter, Policy Counsel
When Google chose Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO for their 1 gigabit fiber network, us Kansas Citians were pretty excited. We knew that Google Fiber held a lot of potential for our region to be at the forefront of developing new technologies and to grow as a tech hub...but we weren’t quite sure how to make that happen.
So in September of last year, Mayors Sly James and Joe Reardon from each city appointed a Mayors' Bistate Innovation Team (MBIT), charged with developing a Playbook of creative ways that the community can use Google Fiber to spark economic development, advance opportunities and improve daily life in Kansas City.
As co-chairs of MBIT, we had the amazing opportunity (along with the rest of our team) to meet with community members from many different sectors including neighborhoods, schools, libraries, hospitals, health providers, arts, businesses, and more to learn about what Fiber means to them, and what impact they imagine it might have. In addition to doing research for the Playbook, our team also investigated the broader issues of innovation and digital inclusion in Kansas City.
What we found was a community alive with dreams and visions for a better Kansas City, enriched by broad access to high-speed Internet connectivity and trained to take advantage of all it can offer. In fact, we got so much amazing feedback that we’ll be releasing several iterations of the Playbook, in order to collect and incorporate even more public feedback. We’ve opened an online forum where anyone can submit their ideas, and we invite you to contribute your thoughts.
But for now, our preliminary recommendations in the Playbook highlight the areas in our community where we think Google Fiber can make a real difference. Some of these recommendations include:
Education: Outfit a handful of classrooms for demonstration projects that fully integrate high-speed fiber technology into daily lessons, equipping our students with the most innovative educational resources.
Telehealth Pilots: Work with several hospitals and clinics to provide the technology to perform diagnostic services to people at home and at work, potentially increasing the quality of care for some patients while simultaneously reducing ER wait times and hospital readmissions.
Testbeds for entrepreneurs: Build a technology incubator that invites entrepreneurs to gather in a fiber-rich environment and work together to enhance their current businesses and develop new apps.
Global Roundtables: Conduct a series of global telepresence roundtables to establish Kansas City as an emerging global leader in the new digital economy and accelerate economic development and innovation.
Enhance Convention Center technology: Make our convention center one of the most tech-friendly gathering places in the country.
Develop a robust IT workforce: Work with and train Kansas Citians to become leading IT professionals throughout the US and the world.
We’re excited about the potential of these ideas—and the many more that we outline in our beta Playbook. But we’re also very aware that high-speed fiber cannot reach its full potential if large segments of our community are excluded from its benefits. Digital inclusion will be a huge pillar of our work on Google Fiber in the community. We hope to work with Google and other community organizations to make broadband access widely available in Kansas City, and to develop computer literacy training so that all Kansas Citians can have access to public services and social, financial, cultural, and informational resources.
To shepherd all of these elements from ideas to action, we’re recommending the creation of a new region-wide Digital Leadership Network. While many organizations will lead or partner on specific initiatives, we will look to the Digital Leadership Network as a new, united effort to ensure implementation of projects in the Playbook and to bring vision, strategy and coordination to the region’s broadband efforts over time.
High-speed fiber, by itself, is no guarantee of leadership in innovation or economic development. These opportunities will come only through work, initiative, and community support, hopefully guided by Playbook recommendations from MBIT and from the community.
Posted by Ray Daniels, Kansas MBIT Co-Chair and Mike Burke, Missouri MBIT Co-Chair
To get a better idea of how our build has been going so far, I sat down with John Toccalino, a manager on our fiber project and asked him a few questions.
Q: So, John, first can you give a quick explanation about how Google Fiber will work?
A: Sure. Here’s a basic diagram of our network. As you can see, we’ll be routing fiber connection into Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO through several equipment aggregator huts, aka “Google Fiber Huts.” From the Google Fiber Huts, the fiber cables will travel along utility poles into neighborhoods and homes.
The benefit of this model is simple: every home that has Google Fiber service will have their very own fiber-optic cable that directly connects all the way back to the Internet backbone.
Q: I see a label on your diagram, “Gigabit Symmetric Fiber Connectivity.” What does that mean?
A: Well, with most standard broadband connections, it is much faster to download a file than it is to upload one of the same size. That’s because most of the bandwidth, or the network’s capacity, is devoted to the content that users are trying to view online, such as their email or streaming video on sites like YouTube.
But with Google Fiber, our users will be able to download and upload files at the exact same speed. Think about being able to upload that huge powerpoint presentation you made for work, or that video of your child’s first steps in mere seconds!
Q: Very cool. Now let’s get to the nuts and bolts of what’s happening right now. What are the Google Fiber construction crews busy doing?
A: We’re working on 2 pieces of fiber infrastructure right now: installing fiber and building the Google Fiber Huts.
Most of our crews are out on boom trucks every day, hanging fiber on utility poles throughout Kansas City. A few of our crews are also busy digging trenches to install fiber underground.
We’re making good progress on the Google Fiber Huts as well—we’ve already built half of them!
Q: Where exactly have the crews been working?
A: We’re not focused in any one location. We’re working throughout Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO!
Q: What’s the next step in construction?
A: Well, we still have a while before infrastructure is complete. Kansas City is big, and we have to hang fiber throughout almost all of it. Once we’re done with that, we can move to the next step where we’ll be connecting fiber to homes.
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