Google Fiber to expand footprint for first time in 4 years

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Google Fiber is planning to expand its geograhpic footprint for the first time in several years, signing on as the “first tenant” on a city-owned fiber network to be built in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The new network was agreed to by the city’s leaders on Monday night.

“West Des Moines marks our first new market in more than four years. During that time, we’ve been focused on improving our customer experience around speed, reliability, and service. Google Fiber has learned a lot in our first 10 years — we’ve made some good decisions, and we’ve made some mistakes. Yet, our commitment to provide high-speed, reliable internet while finding sustainable ways to build and deliver service and move the industry toward meaningful change has never wavered,” wrote David Finn, Director of Corporate Development for Google Fibert, in a blog post.

Google Fiber operates in parts of the Triangle and Charlotte.

“As we’ve worked on these challenges, it’s become clear that communities should have more choice about how they get broadband — and from whom. Whether it’s provided by the private sector, the public sector, or through a combination of the two, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to delivering the connectivity that people so desperately need.

“As the last few months have demonstrated, access to fast and reliable internet is fundamental to life in the 21st century — no less necessary than water and electricity. Whether learning or working from home, whether shopping or gaming or watching streamed video, whether reaping the benefits of telehealth or connecting to family and friends via video, everyone should have access to open, reliable, and fairly-priced internet.

“When it comes to the internet, people in this country have been underserved for far too long. Cities and companies can work together to change that — and that’s our goal. And we’re excited to take the next step forward in Iowa.”