Google, US government launch plan to bring Fiber service to public housing
Google is partnering with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to bring its Fiber Internet service to public and affordable housing projects, the company announced on Wednesday.
The plan falls under the ConnectHome initiative organized by HUD and the White House, which is looking to get Internet access to more families and schoolkids in projects spread across 27 communities. Google's efforts will initially be limited to locations in Atlanta, Durham, Nashville, and Kansas City, but the ultimate aim is to cover every Fiber market.
Beyond supplying zero-cost Internet, the partnership will create labs for computer skills training.
Google said the rollout is based on success with a program in one of the first Fiber markets, Austin, where it collaborated with the city's Housing Authority and various local and national organizations on both free connections and digital training.
Fiber is normally available under three pricing tiers. A basic 5 megabits-per-second option is free after a $300 installation. Moving up to gigabit speeds drops the installation fee, but costs $70 per month with a one-year contract. A bundle of gigabit Internet and 150-plus TV channels costs $130 per month.
For Google, both the paid and pro bono versions of Fiber are a way of boosting its core businesses. By knocking down speed and access barriers, more people are exposed to the company's advertising and general product lineup.
The plan falls under the ConnectHome initiative organized by HUD and the White House, which is looking to get Internet access to more families and schoolkids in projects spread across 27 communities. Google's efforts will initially be limited to locations in Atlanta, Durham, Nashville, and Kansas City, but the ultimate aim is to cover every Fiber market.
Beyond supplying zero-cost Internet, the partnership will create labs for computer skills training.
Google said the rollout is based on success with a program in one of the first Fiber markets, Austin, where it collaborated with the city's Housing Authority and various local and national organizations on both free connections and digital training.
Fiber is normally available under three pricing tiers. A basic 5 megabits-per-second option is free after a $300 installation. Moving up to gigabit speeds drops the installation fee, but costs $70 per month with a one-year contract. A bundle of gigabit Internet and 150-plus TV channels costs $130 per month.
For Google, both the paid and pro bono versions of Fiber are a way of boosting its core businesses. By knocking down speed and access barriers, more people are exposed to the company's advertising and general product lineup.
Comments
More corporatism and favoritism disguised as serving "the public good"... How much more in new taxes will this cost? Even "free lunches" cost someone something.
The NSA will enjoy getting more data where they previously didn't, and Googs gets to shove more ads down people's throats.
HUD is another agency that needs to be eliminated.
Nothing like preying on those who don't know, can't afford or simple don't have a choice.
I hear those "Poor credit? Get a card" and dodgy pharmacy ads pay really well.
Guys, get a grip on your stupid, rampant cynicism.
It's become so frickin' tiresome.
Well done Google, now no one will have lag while playing C.O.D.
Most of these cities already have 4-5 internet carriers already. From the ILEC and numerous CLECs, to municipal providers, to cable carriers, to cellular.. It would be beneficial for Google to start where there is no competition, instead of the NFL cities.
Guys, get a grip on your stupid, rampant cynicism.
It's become so frickin' tiresome.
Besides, can I help it if my favorite fictional character is Leonard McCoy?
If you're not cynical, you're not paying attention.
Are you serious? It's ALWAYS about money. Businesses don't run on fairy dust.
No it's not always about the money.
I'm sorry, but that's incorrect. There are risk-reward scenarios for every decision made. Google may lay fiber or create Internet access in Africa because it is a rapidly growing economy right now, it's easy to get in on the ground floor and represents future customers (incidentally, China has poured billions into developing infrastructure there to support their ongoing needs for cheap labor, as their own labor costs continue to rise).
2013 article: http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20131122000004&cid=1202
This is new, fast growing business for Google.
Oh look! Another corporate welfare whore, just like Lockheed.... <s> nice going Google! </s>
Oh, I am paying plenty of attention. More than most of you, and untainted by the third-rate politics that seems to drive a lot of the socio-political and socio-economic drivel that I see on these forums (including, sadly, yours from time to time).
In fact, I wish I could switch off more.