Planning to build a local high-speed broadband network as a test project, Google Inc. has received more than 600 responses from communities interested in the effort, BusinessWeek reports. More than 190,000 individuals also have requested information, Google said on its blog. The company announced plans last month to build a fiber-optic network that would serve between 50,000 and 500,000 people, providing connections that are 100 times faster than current networks. “As we narrow down our choices, we’ll be conducting site visits, meeting with local officials, and consulting with third-party organizations,” James Kelly, a product manager, said in the blog posting. “Based on a rigorous review of the data, we will announce our target community or communities by the end of the year.” The proposed network set off a frenzy of lobbying by cities and towns across the U.S., with some holding rallies and sending gifts to Google’s headquarters. Several universities have teamed up with their local communities in support of their applications…
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