Naperville wants to test Google Internet service
Naperville officials are making googly eyes at the chance to try out new high-speed Internet service.
The city is applying to be a test community for a new Google broadband network.
Google is experimenting with a fiber-to-home connection it says is 100 times faster than the service most people currently have and it is looking for communities in which to try it out.
Representing a community that doesn't often shy away from contests or technology, Naperville city councilmen earlier this week said they would like the city to apply.
"Bandwidth is everything in accessing the Internet," Councilman Robert Fieseler said. "It's getting more and more demanding as people create applications. This would be a fantastic opportunity if it plays out the way Google intends."
Naperville's IT Team Leader Larry Gunderson said the city would make a good test site as it is an "extremely technology savvy community" with an estimated 90 percent or more households and businesses having Internet service.
"If there was a company offering faster Internet in town, I would anticipate a high demand from our residents and businesses," Gunderson said via e-mail.
In addition, he said the city already has underground conduits that can handle additional fiber optic capacity.
The city will be going up against some enthusiastic competitors.
Residents in more than 100 cities have created Facebook pages asking Google to come to their community. Peoria's is one of the largest with more than 4,400 members. The mayor of Topeka, Kan., even proclaimed that for the month of March his city would be known as "Google, Kansas - the Capital City of Fiber Optics."
Gunderson said Naperville plans to take a straightforward approach but it's possible residents will find unique ways to promote Naperville's bid.
Residents who want to nominate Naperville as a test community can do so at naperville.il.us/googlefiber.aspx.
Applications are due March 26. Google will announce its trial locations later this year.