Google Me, More

Just posting an email from Ari Herzog with more details about the Google opportunity.

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Ever notice how slow your internet connection is?

I'm downloading data along Comcast's electrical copper wires at 11 million bits per second. If a fiber optic network existed in Newburyport, that 11 million would jump to 1 billion. Sounds good to me. You?

The problem is Comcast and Verizon aren't building fiber connections anytime soon -- but Google is. The company behind Google Search and Google Mail announced a competition last week to install an experimental fiber optic network in test markets across the country and it seeks interested communities to be their guinea pigs.

As your newest city councilor at-large, I'd like Newburyport to be a guinea pig for Google.

In recent days, I've met with many residents and talked to several city officials. Mayor Holaday stands behind this proposal for she, too, would like to see a faster internet connection to enable city departments and the schools to operate more efficiently by sending and receiving data quicker than it takes today. Further, we'd offer Google the ability to lease or sublease our poles and other infrastructure; and that's one of many ways we can see some potential revenue out of Google coming here. That, and imagine the innovative stuff we can do with a wicked fast internet connection. Companies will beg to relocate here, wanting to tap into Google's network. With revenue comes jobs. Think about the possibilities.

If you visit http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options you will see a button on the right side of the page that asks you to "Nominate Your Community." (The button on the left refers to the government response, which I'm coordinating with numerous departments and boards.)

I humbly ask you to nominate Newburyport. It takes 5 minutes to complete the online form. If you live with three other people, ask everyone to fill it out. If you have access to a video camera, record a video first sharing your reasons why you'd like a faster connection here, and upload it to Youtube; and then link to that video on your form.

Ask your friends, your co-workers, your colleagues, your neighbors. Residency is not required to nominate the city and share your reasons why Google should come here.

I outlined a few reasons at http://fibernbpt.blogspot.com and http://facebook.com/fibernbpt why Google should come to Newburyport, and why Newburyport should respond to its request for information. I think it's crucial that 1) everyone nominates the city as a host community for Google fiber; but 2) more importantly, everyone's on the same page.

I'd like to hear your thoughts -- and the thoughts of everyone you know who lives, works, or plays in Newburyport. Think about which Newburyport ideas and innovations should be shared with Google, and why Google should pick Newburyport out of other communities that apply. To this end, I've posted a public forum to occur on Monday, March 1 from 7 - 9 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. Please come if you can. Please spread the word about this forum -- and the initiative -- to everyone you know.

By working together and by unifying our ideas with one voice, we can bring Google fiber to Newburyport!

Thanks much. Have a great weekend! Please email fiberNBPT@gmail.com with any questions and/or to send an update when the nomination form is submitted.