TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to complete the Request for Information (RFI) process to make Long Beach a candidate for Google's broadband Internet service, and report back to City Council when the RFI is complete, and again when Google announces its decision.
DISCUSSION
This month Google announced that it plans to offer fiber-optic, broadband Internet service that will be 100 to 1,000 times faster than currently offered high-speed Internet connections. Google intends to test this service in the real world, and has invited cities to complete a Request for Information to apply as test locations. Google has said it will supply service to between 50,000 and half-a-million users at a competitive price during the test.
Google is one of the most progressive, successful, and creative companies to come out of the technology boom. Long Beach, with its diversity, growing creative class, and well-documented digital gap, is a perfect market for Google to test this new technology. Google's broadband service could dramatically enhance the connectivity of Long Beach residents. It would also raise the City's profile as a technology-friendly, progressive city.
This RFI presents an opportunity for Long Beach to improve our digital infrastructure and participate in technological progress to the benefit of our residents.
The RFI was released February 10, and applications are due March 26. The application is relatively simple, and there is no cost to apply, other than staff time, or to participate in the broadband test.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT GARCIA
COUNCILMEMBER, 1ST DISTRICT
DEE ANDREWS
COUNCILMAN, 6TH DISTRICT
VICE MAYOR VAL LERCH
COUNCILMEMBER, 9TH DISTRICT