Mar 11, 2010 6:20 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Hopes To Win Ultra High-Speed Internet
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
Baltimore announced a major effort to convince Google that the city is the perfect place to launch an ultra high-speed fiber optic network.
AP
Baltimore announced a major effort to convince Google that the city is the perfect place to launch an ultra high-speed fiber optic network.
Mary Bubala reports if Baltimore wins, it could mean up to a billion dollars in infrastructure investment plus insanely fast Internet service.
Baltimore is hoping to convince Google it's ready for that blazing fast Internet infrastructure. There's already a website dedicated to the effort called
bmorefiber.com.
But why does Baltimore want this so badly? Google says if Baltimore wins, Internet connection in the city would be at least 100 times faster for residents.
Businesses like Under Armour could connect with customers around the world at lightning speed.
City medical institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital could use it to stream 3D medical imagery to diagnose and educate health practitioners across the world.
On Thursday, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the members of her "Google team" of top business and technology leaders.
"For some people outside of this city, Baltimore is the city of 'The Wire.' This is a chance to move Baltimore from last decade's wire to this decade's fiber," said Rawlings-Blake.
As part of the effort to bring high-speed Internet to Baltimore through Google,
the mayor made a special video, and she named Tom Loveland, a local IT guru, as Google czar.
"Baltimore is a tinderbox of innovation waiting for a spark. Google is that spark. Google Fiber can turn Baltimore into a global innovation leader," said Loveland.
Google is asking cities and residents to state their case by March 26. That's when the application is due.
The city wants to hear from residents, and you can add your support to the campaign by visiting
the website.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Dog Days Of Summer
Support Bringing Google To Baltimore
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments