9:00am | As cities across the nation vie for the right to become a testing zone for an ultra-speed internet system called Google Fiber, the City of Long Beach this week sent more than 700 letters to the internet giant after an intense effort by the office of Councilmember Robert Garcia to drum up community support.
Google will test the system in up to 500,000 American homes. Many cities made their final push this week with strategies that ranged from serious to slapstick. Google has not stated when they will make their decision.
“The community really came through with an outpouring of support,” Garcia said. “I’m really proud of us, and excited about this potential opportunity.”
Google announced the initiative last month and Councilmember Garcia introduced a motion directing the City Manager to apply for the process, which was unanimously approved by the Council. A total of 706 letters from community members were sent Friday, which was the deadline.
The Los Angeles Times took notice and featured the story in this article that ran yesterday.
Some estimates put Google Fiber between 100 and 1,000 times faster than standard broadband internet connection. It is unknown whether Google will test the system in one place or in a series of cities.
Disclosure: The letter-writing campaign web page is hosted by ChamberAdvocacy.biz, which is owned by lbpost.com publisher Shaun Lumachi. Click here to read our policy on covering the Long Beach City Council.