[1st-mile-nm] Fwd: Google Fiber for Communities Initiatives

[Eric Renz-Whitmore]

Hi everyone.

I mostly lurk on this list, and I think most folks here are aware of
Google's Fiber for Communities project.

But just in case, here's the info I sent to our state's "media industries"
discussion list, including sites for the communities I understand are
submitting proposals.  If you know of others -- and sites or other ways
people can get involved with them, please pass that information along.

While I'm working on one of the projects, I'm encouraging anyone who
believes broadband is importation to nominate and otherwise support all the
communities you can.  Whether we get this or not (I understand the chances
are somewhat astronomical), this is also an opportunity to show our leaders
that these issues matter, and that we get involved.

Best wishes,

Eric

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Hi everyone...

You may have heard news about Google's Fiber for Communities Initiative, and
perhaps the new national broadband plan the FCC is releasing. I think we've
also shared some information on the several New Mexico broadband projects
being funded under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

All this confirms something that's been discussed here, and that we should
discuss further: the recognition that we're moving toward having the
internet as our primary means of communication and information sharing, and
that those places that have better connectivity will be better equipped to
compete -- and that means our businesses, students, cities and state as a
whole.

Google's initiative is one effort to help move the US ahead by testing the
deployment and related innovation of a one gigabit open access network to a
couple of communities between 50,000 and 500,000 people.  This is quite a
boost.  New Mexico's average download speed runs about 4-5Mbps (slightly
below the national average) and the FCC's goal is for 100 Mbps connections.
In other words, the Google Fiber project could build out an area with
100-200 times our existing connectivity.

For the lucky communities that get this, it will be a huge, game-changing
difference, not only helping us download HD movies in seconds and play
better video games, but unlocking the possibility of real-time sharing of
huge quantities of date, whether that's biomedical content, energy research,
digital media -- or something we haven't yet thought of.

Why am I writing this?  In addition to building some general awareness, we
have an opportunity to help bring this project to New Mexico.  Several
communities have submitted or plan to submit proposals to Google (more info
below), and both individuals and community groups are encouraged to get
involved and nominate their community (deadline is next Friday, March
26th).  Whichever community you're in (and please share if you know of
efforts elsewhere), they can use your help through signing up, nominating
that city and sharing ideas about how we can make the best use of the tools
and access we'll have.

Google has had a few small projects going here in New Mexico already. By
showing that people throughout the state are interested and supportive,
maybe we can build a bigger, more long term relationship.

For more information about the Google Fiber for Communities project, each of
our sites has additional information and ways you can get involved.

Best wishes,

Eric

Albuquerque: http://www.googlequerque.org /
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=379762423707

Farmington:  http://newmexicoindependent.com/49440/great-goo...<http://newmexicoindependent.com/49440/great-google-y-moogly-come-to-farmington-udall-says>

Los Alamos: http://losalamoschamber.snappages.com/Fiber%20U...<http://losalamoschamber.snappages.com/Fiber%2520Up%2520Los%2520Alamos%2520County%21.htm>

Santa Fe: http://fiberforsantafe.net/ /
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=209018754...<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=209018754981&ref=ts>



-- 

Eric Renz-Whitmore
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