Waverly Community Schools

Google Fiber For Communities Program

03/19/2010

Waverly Community Schools has been working with Delta Charter Township on the "Google Fiber for Greater Lansing" campaign. The Waverly board of education has been asked to pass a resolution supporting this effort and send a letter of support.

Waverly has also been asked to get the word out to our staff and families, encouraging them to fill out the nomination form for the Greater Lansing area. You can find the nomination form at either of the websites below. You may be asked to create a Google account before filling out the nomination form.

http://www.greaterlansing4google.com/ - on the left hand side of screen under toolbox (community nomination form).

http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options - on right side, for residents and community.

Please take the time to help support this regional effort.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Google Fiber for Communities program

Q: What is Google Planning to build?
A: Google is planning to build and test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. They will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today using 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. They will offer the service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Q: Why is Google doing this?
A: Google’s goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone.

Q: What criteria will Google be using?
A: (Google’s answer) Above all, we’re interested in deploying our network efficiently and quickly, and are hoping to identify interested communities that will work with us to achieve this goal. We also want to want to work with a community where we can bring significant benefits to residents and develop useful proofs-of-concept that can have a broader impact. For example, we’re looking for opportunities to experiment with deployment techniques that can inform and accelerate broadband deployment elsewhere as well. To that end, we’ll use our RFI to identify interested communities and to assess local factors that will impact the efficiency and speed of our deployment, such as the level of community support, local resources, weather conditions, approved construction methods and local regulatory issues. We will also take into account broadband availability and speeds that are already offered to users within a community. The RFI is a first step – we plan to consult with local government organizations, as well as conduct site visits and meet with local officials, before announcing our final decisions.

Q: What does Google mean by 50,000 to 500,000 people?
A: We have not yet determined the size of the trial, which will be based in large part on the availability of appropriate locations. We expect that we will provide this service to a minimum of 50,000 people and up to as many as 500,000 people, most likely in multiple communities.

Q: What is a fiber-optic network?
A: Fiber-optic networks transmit data using pulses of light rather than electricity. DSL and cable networks use copper wire, while fiber-optic networks are made of light conducting glass or plastic “pipes” that carry light across their length.