Google brings high-speed broadband network to Kansas

Internet giant Google has announced that it has selected Kansas City, Kan. as its test city for a cutting-edge high-speed Internet network.

Last March, Petaluma launched a community-wide effort to court Google for the network, which many hoped would attract new tech businesses and research. Google said that the network will reach unprecedented speeds of 1 gigabit per second, 100 times faster than a normal connection, and opened the application process to any community, saying it would bring ther network to "between 50,000 and 500,000 people."

While Petaluma's application included nominations and enthusiasm from many residents, more than 1,100 cities across the country also submitted applications for the network.

"In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations," wrote Milo Medin, Google's vice president of access services, in a post on Google's official blog.

Google , however, said that they will "be looking closely at ways to bring ultra-high-speed Internet to other cities across the country" and may look for other opportunities for cities that have already submitted applications.

"I'm always on the lookout for opportunites the enhance our standing with Google," said Tim Williamsen, the city's IT manager.

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