Last week Google announced the details of its Gigabit initative in Kansas City – an exciting project that has the potential to bring Gigabit service to all of Kansas City by the end of 2013, you can click here for details. Along with the roll out came a slogan (marketing people do that) of: 100 times faster, 100 times the possibilities.
They even have a video to show the layman the history of the Internet and what it means.
First of all – Gigabit Squared would like to congratulate Google for everything they’ve accomplished to date to help push the limits of today’s Internet. We encourage all residents to sign up for the service as uptake is always a challenge for a new network. The Google name and marketing muscle should definitely help in that effort, but key to adoption might inevitably be those “100 time of possibilities” Google alludes to.
But in today’s competitive marketplace, there will always be a challenge to get people to “sign up” for new service, especially when the incumbent starts throwing in free movie channels. That’s why when Gigabit Squared rolls out a network, we focus on making sure the demand – the possibilities – are defined upfront. Stakeholders for public services like education, government services, health care, and public safety are brought together to help ensure that the applications… the possibilities… will be there when the network launches to help the community gain traction on uptake. No one switches services without a compelling reason – or multiple compelling reasons to do so. Without gigabit speeds, you will not have access to tele-medecine… OR government services can be a click away instead of a long line… well these are reasons to switch.
As we take applications for the Gigabit Neighborhood Gateway Program, we’re seeing a lot of communities that recognize the need for upfront collaboration and planning. These plans are exciting as they include new applications that will drive better health care, education, and business competitiveness.
Yes, there are 100s of possibilities with Gigabit speed. Our plan is to have many defined to help truly transform our communities and drive adoption.