Official Blog
The latest news from the Fiber team
How policymakers can support broadband abundance
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Nearly three years ago, Nick Budidharma, an 18 year old game developer, drove with his parents from Hilton Head, S.C., to live in a “hacker home” that’s connected to the Google Fiber network. Synthia Payne relocated from Denver to launch a startup that aims to let musicians play together in real-time online. Kansas City -- America’s first Google Fiber city -- has been transformed.
Today, Google Fiber continues to make the Internet faster and more accessible to more people across the country. Michael Slinger, Director of Google Fiber Cities, will
testify today
before the
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
to urge policymakers to play a more active role in expanding nationwide broadband abundance.
Today’s hearing will highlight the expansion of broadband deployment, recent infrastructure developments, and policies that will encourage investment in broadband expansion. Michael will share our experience building out Google Fiber to present ideas for how policymakers can support greater broadband abundance:
“Policymakers’ top broadband goal should be achieving broadband abundance — which requires reducing the cost of network buildout and removing barriers that limit providers’ ability to reach consumers. The key is to focus on competition, investment, and adoption.”
When lawmakers successfully support broadband infrastructure and development, Americans will have more choices at higher speeds, small businesses will have the opportunity to expand, and local economies will grow.
Posted by Staci Pies, Public Policy and Government Relations Counsel
~~~~
author.name: Staci Pies
author.title: Public Policy and Government Relations Counsel
category: policy_innovation
Bringing Internet access to public housing residents
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
The web is where we go to connect with people, learn new subjects, and find opportunities for personal and economic growth. But not everyone benefits from all the web has to offer. As many as 26% of households earning less than $30,000 per year
don’t access the Internet
, compared to just 3% of adults with annual incomes over $75,000. Google Fiber is
working to change that
. Today, in all of our
Google Fiber markets
, we’re launching a program to connect residents in select public and affordable housing properties for $0/month with no installation fee.
This initiative is part of
ConnectHome
, a bold new program launched by the White House and
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
that aims to bring Internet connectivity to more school-aged children and families living in HUD-assisted housing in 28 communities across the country. We’re proud to partner with HUD to connect families in four of the communities they’ve selected—Atlanta, Durham, Nashville and Kansas City. We’ll also extend the program to every other current and future Google Fiber market.
We realize, though, that providing an Internet connection is just one piece of the puzzle. People can only take advantage of the many benefits of the web when they understand why it matters and know how to use it. That’s why we’ll also partner with ConnectHome and local community groups to develop basic computer skills training and create computer labs to host these trainings in each of our Fiber markets.
This program was inspired by
our work
with the
Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA)
on their Unlocking the Connection initiative. Through the initiative, HACA has led collaborations with Google Fiber,
EveryoneOn.org
, and local community groups such as
Austin Free-Net
and
Austin Community College
to help residents of HACA communities sign up for $0/month Internet connection, enroll in digital literacy classes and access computers—all at no cost.
HACA residents have embraced this program. At Manchaca Village, the first public housing property we engaged, over 90% of residents signed up for service, and more than half of the residents completed digital literacy training. With support from local organizations and city leaders, we hope to see this same kind of success across the country.
Posted by Erica Swanson, Head of Community Impact, Google Fiber
Updated 8:00am PDT to clarify Unlocking the Connections program
~~~~
author.name: Erica Swanson
author.title: Head of Community Impact
category: community_impact
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