Herald Editorial: Students play critical role in Kalamazoo’s quest for Google Fiber

Google intends to test their new fiber-optic Internet infrastructure, Google Fiber, in cities across the U.S. and has called on citizens to nominate their communities for the project.
Students of Western Michigan University play a critical role in bringing Google Fiber to Kalamazoo and should take their role seriously because Google Fiber would greatly benefit WMU and Kalamazoo.  The deadline is March 26, so haste is crucial.

At a competitive price, Google Fiber would provide Internet service to Kalamazoo that is up to 200 times the speed of the Internet service that is currently available.

Google Fiber could strengthen Kalamazoo’s economy.  Ultra-high-speed Internet may attract businesses to our city and with those businesses would come jobs.

Students who live off-campus would gain from Google Fiber since they are unable to get WMU’s Internet service and may be unable to afford current prices for high-speed Internet.

WMU could benefit.  If WMU were to begin using Google Fiber on its campuses, its Internet would be unmatched by other universities.  Our Internet could attract research grants that would raise our status in comparison to other universities.

“With Google Fiber in Kalamazoo, WMU may be able to supplement their existing campus network to provide faster services at a lower cost to the University.  Most people today cannot get Internet access speeds above 10MB per second download speed.

Google Fiber would provide speeds up to 1GB per second, or 100 times faster than what is possible today,” said Mike Cross, IT operations manager for the City of Kalamazoo.
“Imagine the benefits for Western students who get to live in a community that leads the nation in connectivity and speed to the Internet.”

Cross has played an integral role in the Kalamazoogle team, who formed when the City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township, Oshtemo, and Portage joined forces to bring Google Fiber to Kalamazoo, according to WMU News.

There are many ways that WMU students can help, said Cross, but the most important is the 10-minute task of filling out a nomination form.

Here is the Web site for the nomination form: http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options.

You have to set up a free account with Google.  Assistance with filling out the form is provided at the Kalamazoogle Web site, www.Kalamazoogle.com.  The Kalamazoogle team’s Web site also provides information about the Google Fiber project, according to Mike Cross.

Once again, the deadline for nominating Kalamazoo is Friday, March 26.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15991

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Mar 24 2010. Filed under Editorial, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com