Google (Photo : Reuters)
Google is reportedly planning to unveil its high-speed Internet and TV service called Google Fiber to Research Triangle Park, nearby Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina, according to E Week.
Reports say that the company invited officials from Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte for the unveiling of the project later this week. There are speculations that Google is on their way to look for drill crews that will be used for building the fiber network in the area in the coming weeks.
Other than that, the tech company is also reportedly consulting the North Carolina government for their "zoning permits" and "accessing rights" to build "fiber huts" that will house the network for protection.
There is no official confirmation from Google about the said project. However, a spokesperson from the company declared that they do not have any announcement to make just yet when asked about the Fiber network in North Carolina.
If the rumors are true, this will be Google's fourth time to set up a Fiber network in the country. The company previously introduced the high speed Internet broadband to Kansas City, Salt Lake City and Austin, according to Indy Week.
Residents in the mentioned areas can pay $50 to $60 monthly for a gigabit speed Internet. There is also a TV and Internet package that customers can avail with prices from $120 to $130.
Google previously announced that it will put up 34 "fiberhoods" or areas with Fiber Internet including San Jose, Portland, Atlanta, Nashville and Phoenix. The areas are chosen to receive gigabit speed Internet connections for their primary launch of the project.
The project is driven by the fact that most activities such as video streaming, online data storing, and online communicating have increased both for individuals and small companies. In line with this, Google saw the need for a faster Internet connection.
Google also emphasized that according to a research initiated by the Fiber to the Home Council Americas in 2014, Internet service can greatly affect the economic status of an area. Based on the study, the GDP of communities with high speed Internet service is higher per capita compared to areas that do not have the service.
Google's Fiber Internet set-up will have AT&T as its rival since the latter is also headed to the Research Triangle Park to install their own gigabit Internet service.
