Lee County wants to be part of Google’s decision to build a high speed (broadband) network in some community within the United States. Google is looking for a place to test out a network which will offer speeds not seen anywhere: 100 times faster than anything you have from some other source such as your local cable provider. Google would build the system which has cities all across the nation panting, begging, even changing the name of their community (or a section) to Google. Topeka,Kansas renamed it self Google, Kansas. That might be a problem should they not get the big prize.
A network of such speed could open up all kinds of opportunities, namely in the business sector, for any community. In these days of fiscal stress, needless to say, Google would be like having a rich uncle come to pay a vist, and stay forever. Google says it can possibly offer this network for a community of anywhere between 50,000 to 500,000 in population. That range is huge and may be a factor later. Lee County, home of Ft Myers and Bonita Springs, has about 600,000 residents.
Nationwide, America is in need of greater broadband speed. Globally, as with healthcare, America is not leading the pack when it comes to speed and people who have access to such broadband capability. About 27 out of every 100 Americans have broadband service. Compare that to 33 out of 100 in South Korea. The number in the Netherlands is 38 out of 100 people. And speed? France has speeds more than five times faster than we do. They have a better healthcare system too…but I digress (old habits die hard).
Google may do what America used to do best: private interests producing new technology, which makes business grow and prosper. Even our government is taking notice: The FCC is building a strategy which will offer incentives to private industry to invest, compete, and build a broadband network that is light years beyond what we have today. Their goal: offer broadband to 100 million American homes at download speeds of 100 megabits per second, within the next ten years. As of now, it’s mainly cable and phone company providers who have a near monopoly on such broadband access. The FCC plan would blast open this narrow scope to a broader range of providers. How the logistics of who builds the networks remains to be seen. In the early days of cable TV, companies would competitively bid for that right. Now it’s time to open up the frontier and cross into a new dimension of broadband service, and our government is heading in that direction. Most cities have been at the mercy of one or two of these companies and less competition means higher rates. My background is in cable, but I say, “bring it on!” Believe me, the cable and phone companies are getting their lawyers ready to fight any additional competition. As various technology has boomed, the capacity for speed and volume is critical. We are already behind many other countries (boy, does that sound familiar).
Google is leading the way though, and communities are chomping at the bit to be the test market. Lee County could use the boost too, as it was ground zero for the housing bust. A shot of speed might be the elixir the area needs to get back on track. A city which can offer of such incredible bandwidth would be a magnet for industry looking for such capability. Lee County already has many medical offices and healthcare providers which would benefit from such technology. Transferring medical records, utilizing MRI’s and other such equipment would facilitate business. Superspeed broadband is the next big thing and Lee County recognizes the potential. The education and entertainment communities would also benefit from this. Our government is in the red economically but what Google seeks, along with a like-minded partner in government, is just the combination we need to move to the next generation of broadband service. This requires investment from both the private and public sectors. Google’s decision will be made before the year is out.
