Chamber of Commerce President Barbara Hawkins said Google is going to work with up to 15 U.S. communities to install broadband communications networks as part of the program.
“The internet is an essential tool for many reasons,” she said. High speed broadband is essential for business infrastructure, both to draw potential businesses here or keep them here.
“It’s important for education and telemedicine as well.”
Though Google has highlighted the promotion as being offered to service areas of 50,000 to 500,000 people, Pryor is making application under the title “Rural Demonstration Project” and listed the following reasons.
- Rural areas are notoriously known to have poor, and selective, high-speed internet services.
- The local cable company does not offer Internet connections.
- Only AT&T offers DSL services to the area.
- Only a handful of small communities own and operate all utilities including the electrical system, so immediate access is available.
- A 100 megabit fiber optic backbone already exists in Pryor, called PryorNet.
- MUB staff installed and maintains PryorNet, so the workforce is familiar with installation and maintenance.
Though Pryor doesn’t fit the criteria, Hawkins believes the effort to show support for the project will show savvy to the Internet giant.
“We’re stepping out of the box they’ve made for this program,” she said. “We want them to know we are ready and capable for this upgrade.”
The petition is rapidly gathering signatures. Businesses and residents are encouraged to log onto the Chamber’s Web site at www.pryorchamber.com and click on the Google for Fibers link to sign the petition. Time is of the essence to meet the deadline for application.
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Quelle/Source: The Daily Times, 29.03.2010
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