Google’s (Hi-Speed Internet) Fiber Optic Trial in Corvallis
February 18, 2010 10 Comments
Google is looking to partner with a community to install and operate an experimental ultra high speed internet service. The City has decided that it will not pursue this opportunity. Below is a list of links and articles relevant to the topic:
“Google is asking local governments and residents to express their interest in the fiber optic trial, and to provide information about their community by completing our request for information.”
Google Fiber for Communities: Get involved
https://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options
http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us/council/mail-archive/mayor/msg31666.html
Email Title: Google Experimental Network
Mayor and Council,
Google recently announced it’s looking to partner with a community to install and operate an experimental ultra high speed internet service. The announcement has created numerous requests from Corvallis residents to signup Corvallis as a candidate for the experimental fiber network.
We recognize the importance of high speed internet service in the community and have investigated the project and application which takes the form of a Request for Information (RFI). Upon review of the RFI we are not planning to apply.
Why not apply?
1. The RFI asks if the City owns the utility poles and underground conduits in the public right of way. This would greatly aid in Google’s ability to quickly attach and connect fiber throughout the city. The City does not own the utility poles or underground conduits. Google would have to work with utility companies to access their facilities in addition to acquiring permission from the City. Outside of encouragement, the City has no authority to expedite a relationship and process between Google and utilities. For this reason alone, we feel Corvallis is unlikely to be chosen because many communities own their electric system and could provide simpler two-party access to poles and conduits.
2. The RFI requests information about third-party charges for pole and conduit use. Because the City does not own the poles or conduits, we do not regulate or participate in those contracts and have no information to share.
3. The RFI seeks information about how the City would collaborate on the trial and how the community would offer its support. This is an unknown and would require public outreach and possible Council action if City resources or policy changes are requested. The time generally associated with this process would make Google’s submittal deadline very difficult to meet.
4. There is very little information about what Google’s plan is, how it would be implemented, or their expectations for the chosen community. It’s unclear what the risks, obligations, and financial costs would be to the City and residents.
5. The City has a neutral stance on promoting a specific technology or broadband provider. As markets have developed in Corvallis, new entrants have continued to arrive to fill the need. The ultra high speed internet market is developing and there is no reason to believe the demand will not be met in Corvallis in the future.
Although the City is not planning on filing the RFI, there is an opportunity for residents and community groups to submit Corvallis as a candidate. The RFI for residents and community groups can be found at: https://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options
Adam Steele
Franchise Utility Specialist
City of Corvallis
Between the Lines by Matt Neznanski
Corvallis will opt out of Google high-speed internet plan
http://mattneznanski.mvourtown.com/2010/02/12/corvallis-will-opt-out-of-google-high-speed-internet-plan/
Corvallis will opt out of Google high-speed Internet plan
http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_f72e9e7a-1822-11df-844b-001cc4c002e0.html
Bring Google Fiber to Benton County (Facebook Group)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=293781180884
How do you feel about the City of Corvallis’ response (or lack of one)? I am embarrassed, disappointed, motivated, frustrated and afraid. How do you feel about the chance for Corvallis to partner with Google on this? Please share your thoughts with us here.
City Leadership, Community, Loyan Roylance
Todd Cleland, a fellow board member at the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, recently introduced me to the HP term, FUD. FUD is short for Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.
I see FUD in the City’s memo.
Can we afford as a community to make decisions or commit to inaction because of fear, uncertainty or doubt?
Seems like a pretty regressive stance. Disappointed.
Thanks to the creator of the facebook group and the 336 local individuals in support! Maybe there is still hope to build some steam and show Google there’s a passionate community eager to partner with them.
To me, it reads like a big list of excuse for not doing something outside of a regular daily task list.
Getting the attention of a big partner may take some extra effort and work. People may have to go out of their way to make it happen. Some folks are up for that condition. Some folks even thrive in it. Some folks don’t.
Seems like we would have a great shot at this considering the OSL is here. Seems like there would be a lot of free goodwill to the OpenSource community.
I agree with Loyan. I read the rationale and thought that someone figured they knew what Google really wants and based on that the chances of being selected were low and so why bother to do the work needed… Isn’t a better approach to have thought about what a shot in the arm it would be for Corvallis and assembled a team of knowledgable people who are excited about it and invited that quality team to respond to the RFI? The FUD factor probably is at play as well! I’m disappointed we didn’t even try…
I think the city response is rational, predictable, reasonable and the thought of a very good city staffer. We can’t do it all folks and it gets old going fishing and never catching any fish. We can’t be everywhere, doing everthing for everyone at all times and full bore.
I support the Corvallis and Benton County efforts to go for it but that is me, my style and my unbridled optimism speaking. I didn’t read the RFI and don’t have the background to know the ins and outs of what the city would have to go through to create a “competitive” response. FUD it may be but in this case I think just the word GOOGLE causes the imagination to run wild. Sometimes it is good to pause and take a breath. I am disappointed but not surprised and after reflection can live with the response or should I say, “lack of it!”
Now what about working toward a great EV Project as Corvallis was designated as one of 11 cities in the USA to participate in the effort to launch the totally electric vehicle fleet! Lets make sure our participation is so outstanding that the world stands up and takes notice as Oregon is one of 5 states participating!
Topeka wanted Google so badly it passed a resolution to rename the town Google for the month. If that’s what it would take, then I’d have to concur, its not a match. The part of the City response that convinced me was the assumption that the city would have access to the conduits, and Corvallis doesn’t. Trying to broker that could be a real challenge, and perhaps in the RFP that was make or break. In any case, I don’t ever see Corvallis going to the efforts that Topeka is to get the Google win…so maybe its not a match. Disappointing, but a realistic conclusion to use limited resources appropriately.
@Katherine
Who said re-naming their city (which is not really anything big as nobody will actually refer it to Google, Kansas unless they’re trying to get the PR) will help their efforts at all? I don’t remember reading anything about it being a “who can do the wildest thing for us?” contest.
Corvallis would be a wonderful place to demo such an infrastructure due to its geographical location in relation to major fiber runs currently in place. As Jason pointed out above, we also host the OSL which could benefit a bit from extra fiber. But, as most of you have pointed out, the city would rather spit out the typical FUD than actually consider what could possibly benefit its citizens.
Have you ever heard someone talk themselves out of something and get someone else to do it? That’s what the City’s response sounds like:
“We don’t own our utility poles, so they won’t pick us.”
“We can’t facilitate between utilities, so they won’t pick us.”
“We don’t know the specifics of the plan, so they won’t pick us.”
“We don’t like to pick sides, so we can’t do it. Someone might be unhappy if we do!”
“Why don’t you do it!”
Does the community have a clear economic development plan? I don’t mean goals and ideals. A real plan. With solid, measurable objectives. Short term and long term. Given the City’s report card from last year where economic development was the sole negative of all the City’s measures, I would say “probably not.” Perhaps I am wrong . I hope so. Perhaps we have identified opportunities and this one just didn’t fit into the long term objectives of that plan. If so, please say so.
If that is not the case, I fear that the City is waiting to see what flies by, trying to catch it with chopsticks, and saying “oh well” when the opportunity escapes. That is really no plan at all.
I think the EV project is a fine project, but it is ONE project. How many jobs will it generate? How much additional tax revenue for the state/county/city? We need economic diversity in this community and soon.
I like to say that livability begins with a good job. Corvallis isn’t very good at developing those right now. We need to do better and just take a chance sometimes.
I have talked my way out of changing about 98% of my 2nd daughter’s diapers. I’m still not sure if I feel proud or ashamed of that accomplishment(?).
I wonder how the city feels about theirs.
The best Economic Development plan we’ve got is the Prosperity that Fits plan, http://www.prosperitythatfits.us/
which encompasses the actions of the city, county, chamber coalition, LBCC, OSu and more. The city has played a major role in that…I’d have to re-read it to see where it would come out on something like fiber for the city…