Bring Google Fiber to Newburyport

Residents Speak Out Why Google Should Pick Newburyport

2010-03-22T16:54:00.002-04:00

People are sharing their thoughts why Newburyport would be an attractive national trial community for Google fiber.

Via email alone, one resident writes:

Newburyport is trying to be a model community in demonstrating electronic medical record-sharing amongst the medical community. In order to serve every individual in the community, it is important that everyone can have equal access to the electronic medium. This requires that high bandwidth network to be built to support a fast, secure, and reliable transfer of sensitive data. Community networked medical services are likely to become the fabric of American life and having an a digital fiber infrastructure is the backbone needed for successful deployment.

And another:

We just signed and said that faster and more accessible email would help our business that replies almost completely on internet.

And another:

I sent in the nomination and highlighted Newburyport's creative economy and tourism efforts, both of which would benefit by a cutting edge technology like Google Fiber.

And another:

Life moves FAST. Newburyport shouldn't be left in the dust!

Have you nominated the city yet? Please visit http://fibernbpt.com and do it today!

Have You Contributed to the Google Fiber Spreadsheet?

2010-03-10T11:38:00.002-05:00

If you head over to fibernbpt.com, you'll see a link to a page that has a running list of ideas why Newburyport is an attractive national test market city for Google fiber.

Scroll through the ideas and you'll see an embedded spreadsheet where you can add your own thoughts.

Directions to Nominate Newburyport for Google Fiber

2010-02-28T19:02:00.003-05:00

In order to nominate Newburyport, Massachusetts to be a test market for Google's experimental fiber optic network, there are two steps to complete.

First, click here and sign up for a Google account.

If you already have a GMail address, you will see a link at the top of that page to sign-in; otherwise, you will be asked to fill-in your current email address and other information to create your Google account. Your existing email address will be your new username, along with whatever password you decide.

Second, click here to nominate Newburyport.

You will see there are a few questions with asterisks that indicate required information, but most of the form is optional. However, the more information you complete and submit to Google, the better the odds Google will understand our city and our residential needs and desires.

The required question that asks, "Why should Google build a fiber to the home network where you live?" is where you should be as creative as possible in your response. [This paragraph will be expanded after Monday night's public forum, when it is expected many ideas will be brainstormed. Please consider attending.]

Invitation to Public Forum on March 1 to Brainstorm Ideas

2010-02-19T21:35:00.005-05:00

Momentum is building throughout Newburyport as people visit http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options, and click the button that asks them to "Nominate Your Community."

Before clicking that link, why should Google bring its fiber optics here? What should Newburyport residents cite as reasons for hosting its network here? Are you sharing the same reasons as your neighbors and co-workers?

City Councilor Ari Herzog and numerous residents who are spearheading different elements of this initiative would like to hear your thoughts.

Think about which Newburyport ideas and innovations should be shared with Google, and why Google should pick Newburyport out of every other community that applies -- and bring those ideas to a public forum to occur Monday, March 1 from 7 - 9 p.m. in Newburyport City Hall auditorium. Click for directions. Please spread the word!

Please email fiberNBPT@gmail.com with any questions, and please continue to update us when you nominate the city.

Why Should Google Come to Newburyport?

2010-02-18T09:29:00.004-05:00

Google wants to deploy a high-speed broadband network across the United States -- and seeks host communities to act as its test markets. Unlike other telecommunications providers who use traditional copper wires for their networks, Google wants to experiment with fiber optics.

With an intent to deliver fiber-to-the-home connections, if this is successful, your average download speed would increase from about 16 million bits per second to over 1 billion bits per second. You'd be able to download a full-length feature movie in five minutes!

From Google's February 10 announcement:

Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:

* Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.

* New deployment techniques: We'll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we'll share key lessons learned with the world.

* Openness and choice: We'll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we'll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

The concept of being a test market for national technological services is not new to Newburyport, as the city was once a test market for Comcast. That was just the beginning of our innovation.

Anna Jaques Hospital is one of three hospitals statewide demonstrating community-wide implementation of electronic health records. Down the hill, Bixby International is well-known for its manufacture of plastics and composites for surfboards and solar panels. Across the street, L-3 Henschel is a leading defense contractor of shipboard control systems for the U.S. Navy and other maritime military agencies.

For Google to select Newburyport as a test market for its fiber optic network, we need to show off our city. We need to share why Google should pick us. And, we can't do that without you. Please visit this link and click the link that says "Nominate Your Community."

If you'd like to know what to write, add a comment below.

If you already nominated the city, also add a comment below so we (and everyone else) know who you are.

If you have any thoughts or concerns, you can also add a comment or email us directly.

In 2010, we want to bring Google Fiber to Newburyport... but it can only happen with your help! The more nominations, the more of a shot we have.

Please watch this blog for future announcements. Also, if you have a Facebook account, we ask you to support this project by joining our Facebook page.

Thanks!

- City Councilor Ari Herzog & Friends