BRATTLEBORO — The Selectboard has authorized the Town Manager's office to send letters supporting Vermont Telecommunications Authority's efforts to make Vermont one of Google's ultra-high-speed broadband network test sites.
The “Fiber to Communities” project is Google's plan to build and test such networks in trial communities nationwide.
According to Google, the network would deliver fiber-to-the-home connections of 1 gigabit per second to “at least 50,000, and potentially up to 500,000 people.” Google intends to operate a wholesale network for other providers, like Internet and phone companies, rather than provide a service direct to customers.
“An ultra high-speed statewide network would be a huge economic development opportunity for our state. Submitting a statewide application will set Vermont apart from the thousands of community applications that Google will likely receive,” VTA Executive Director Thomas Murray wrote in a letter to the town.
“While success is a real long shot, we believe that Vermont has a great story to tell and this application may accelerate the goal to make Vermont an 'e-state',” Murray continued.
Murray cited “Vermont's innovation culture, the quality of life and strong education system” as qualities that will set Vermont apart from the other applicants. “Plus, building a high-speed network around mountains and to remote, currently unserved, towns will make a very large statement,” he said.
Town Manager Barbara Sondag told the Selectboard that Vermont's telecommunications authority could provide an competitive edge.
Selectboard member Daryl Pillsbury added the VTA has a high bonding capacity of at least $40 million. This can help meet one of Google's criteria that the test communities help build the network quickly.
The deadline for communities to submit Requests for Information was March 26. Google has not set a date for announcing the target communities, but hopes to have the network completed “as soon as possible.”