Google Looking at Decatur-Avondale Estates for Super-Fast Internet

The company states that Google Fiber operates at 100 times the speed typically provided by other cable companies, and at a competitive price.

From the company's Facebook page: "According to Akamai's State of the Internet 4Q2011, the average American only experiences speeds of 5.8 Mb/sec, while Google Fiber offers up to 1,000 Mb/sec download and upload."

The announcement comes as Comcast is attempting to acquire Time Warner Cable, which most analysts predict will not be good for consumers as the number of cable Internet providers continues to shrink.

Fiber would allow users to download a feature-length movie in a matter of seconds, and seamlessly stream HD content.

Fiber currently is in Provo, Utah, and Kansas City, where Internet service runs around $70 a month, and when bundled together with TV is $120. If a consumer keeps the service for a year or two, Google has generally waived most of the up-front equipment charges and fees that can cost several hundred dollars.

The company says that next it’s going to work side-by-side with city leaders on a two-part joint planning process to evaluate whether it can bring Google Fiber to a community.

“We’re going to work on a detailed study of local factors that could affect construction, like topography (e.g., hills, flood zones), housing density and the condition of local infrastructure,” posted Milo Medin, VP, Google Access Services, in a Google blog. “Meanwhile, cities will complete a checklist of items that will help them get ready for a project of this scale and speed.

"For example, they’ll provide us with maps of existing conduit, water, gas and electricity lines so that we can plan where to place fiber. They’ll also help us find ways to access existing infrastructure—like utility poles—so we don’t unnecessarily dig up streets or have to put up a new pole next to an existing one.”

The mayors of both Decatur and Avondale Estates praised the good news as an opportunity to bolster the local economy.

“We are excited to be working with Google Fiber to potentially bring ultra-high-speed Internet access to Avondale Estates,” Avondale Estates Mayor Rieker said in a news release. “Implementing abundant, high-speed broadband access will encourage economic development and allow the City to become a test bed for new technology and ideas that have the potential to improve our daily lives.”

Said Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett said in a release, “The City of Decatur is proud to be on Google’s short list. Decatur is known for being forward thinking in our commitment to sustainable, long-term planning. We now have the opportunity to demonstrate that we are fiber ready and future ready. Our entire community of homes, schools and places of worship would benefit from Google Fiber’s unbelievably fast internet speeds, in ways we can’t even imagine. We look forward to Google’s building the infrastructure for this technological investment in our community.”

While Decatur and Avondale Estates are two of just 34 cities under consideration, they're not the only ones in the metro Atlanta area. Others under consideration include Atlanta, Brookhaven, College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs and Smyrna.

Would you consider switching to Google Fiber if it came to Decatur or Avondale Estates? Let us know in the comment section below.