Fort Smith is one of many cities competing to be a Google fiber community. That means Google would test their ultra high speed internet in Fort Smith for a discounted price. But it may take something special for Fort Smith to get noticed.
Hundreds of cities are competing, and they're going to some pretty far lengths to get noticed. Some cities in the running have even changed their name temporarily to Google to get an edge in the competition. Despite that, city directors say Fort Smith still has a shot.
The city of Fort Smith voted to partner with technology firms and create YouTube videos to attract Google's attention.
"You're basically going to sell your area to get Google to come in and bring their ultra high speed internet service, which they've advertised is 100 times faster than the average internet access," said Fort Smith IT Director Russell Gibson
Google will be considering a variety of factors for their test location, including climate and size. They are looking for a community between 50 and 500,000 people. The competition will be fierce, since hundreds of towns are competing to be the test community for Google's high speed internet. Despite that, Gibson says Fort Smith's odds are good.
"Fort Smith has an advantage geographically. We have the University and there is a good amount of use of technology in the city and particularly in the region," said Gibson.
And residents of Fort Smith say they're behind it if it gives Fort Smith a technological advantage.
"That would be great. I'm pretty content with my internet right now but if it's 100 times faster, it sounds like it would be a good deal," said one Fort Smith resident.
"I think that, just like our library and the museum, it's going to make this a more desirable community, a more advanced community, and I think it's a good thing," one woman said.
Gibson said if residents want to help, then they can send letters of support to the city. Those letters will be included in the application. The applications are due to Google by March 26th, but Google hasn't said when they will announce the winner.
Hundreds of cities are competing, and they're going to some pretty far lengths to get noticed. Some cities in the running have even changed their name temporarily to Google to get an edge in the competition. Despite that, city directors say Fort Smith still has a shot.
The city of Fort Smith voted to partner with technology firms and create YouTube videos to attract Google's attention.
"You're basically going to sell your area to get Google to come in and bring their ultra high speed internet service, which they've advertised is 100 times faster than the average internet access," said Fort Smith IT Director Russell Gibson
Google will be considering a variety of factors for their test location, including climate and size. They are looking for a community between 50 and 500,000 people. The competition will be fierce, since hundreds of towns are competing to be the test community for Google's high speed internet. Despite that, Gibson says Fort Smith's odds are good.
"Fort Smith has an advantage geographically. We have the University and there is a good amount of use of technology in the city and particularly in the region," said Gibson.
And residents of Fort Smith say they're behind it if it gives Fort Smith a technological advantage.
"That would be great. I'm pretty content with my internet right now but if it's 100 times faster, it sounds like it would be a good deal," said one Fort Smith resident.
"I think that, just like our library and the museum, it's going to make this a more desirable community, a more advanced community, and I think it's a good thing," one woman said.
Gibson said if residents want to help, then they can send letters of support to the city. Those letters will be included in the application. The applications are due to Google by March 26th, but Google hasn't said when they will announce the winner.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
