Google buys iProvo as Provo, UT officially becomes the third Google Fiber city
Google didn’t wait another year to announce the third city that Fiber would be coming to. The company has just confirmed that Provo, UT would be getting its own piece of Google’s high-speed gigabit network. Google identified Provo as an important launch as its growing status as a tech hub for startups and innovation. Provo is the second fastest growing city in terms of technology patents, a distinction we’d say is worthy of Google’s attention.
Google had to purchase local fiber-optic service provider to get the ball rolling on this one, and that should be good news as it means it will already have a nice head start. Google will begin the process of upgrading the existing network to gigabit speeds as soon as the City Council votes on the proposal next Tuesday, April 23rd.
If approved, Provoans would get the same neat treatment that folks in Austin and Kansas City are promised, which includes free 5 megabit service for up to 7 years for anyone willing to pay the affordable $30 installation fee. On top of that, Google will provide 25 public institutions — like schools, hospitals, and libraries — with free gigabit internet. Head over to the source link for more details.
[via Google Blog]