Officials in Brookhaven and other metro Atlanta cities in the running to receive a super-fast Internet service say they’re working hard in hopes of being selected for Google Fiber.
Google has selected 34 cities in nine metropolitan areas around the country as potential areas to expand its fiber Internet service, which it touts as 100 times faster than basic broadband Internet service.
Along with the city of Atlanta, Google identified the cities of Brookhaven and Sandy Springs as potential candidates for Google Fiber. The other Atlanta-area cities selected are Avondale Estates, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville and Smyrna.
Google officials say having a high speed Internet network would be a boon for the cities.
“Communities with abundant high-speed Internet grow stronger because there’s greater potential to create jobs, drive economic growth, and help students and families get access to essential resources” said Kevin Lo, General Manager for Google Fiber in a news release.
Google officials are talking with the governments in cities to see what they need to support a fiber optic network.
Brookhaven City Councilwoman Rebecca Chase Williams said Google is asking cities to provide detailed information about utilities, infrastructure and property within the city limits.
As a new city, Williams said, Brookhaven officials have recently audited infrastructure and completed a GIS mapping system. The city has also verified parcels in the city in order to collect franchise fees from Georgia Power.
“We will be prepared to gear up very quickly,” Williams said. “It’s exciting.”
Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis said city officials are “thrilled” about the opportunity. “Brookhaven officials and staff are looking forward to exploring this great possibility and working with their team in determining if Brookhaven is a good fit for this project,” Davis said.
Final decisions about which cities will be selected for Google Fiber networks will likely not be made until the end of the year.