Google Ethernet would change Columbus in many ways. Mayor Michael Coleman and others show their interest in getting Google Ethernet in this video.

For those that are unfamiliar with the topic, Google is planning to launch an experiment that they hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. They plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Their networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 Gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections.  They’ll offer the service to 1 or more cities and to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

So in Columbus, that could potentially change the way we live in an ever more connected world.  In Columbus, a 15mb/s connection will run you about $55-$70 a month from WOW or Road Runner. Pretty expensive for a pretty slow service.  Surveys indicate that the average speed for the American residential consumer is about 5mb/speed. Google’s 1 Gigabit per second dwarfs these speeds. It is not for certain at the moment how Google will work with the incumbent internet service providers, but it could be interesting.  Google’s promise of competitive prices makes this a very attractive proposition for consumers.  With Google’s Ethernet service, Columbus’ citizens will benefit from lower prices and a wider variety of speed options.

Outside of their home and office, people in Columbus access the internet through their cellphones or in their neighborhood Panera and Starbucks.  However, the ability to have lightning speed connections through Google Ethernet will make using a Verizon Blackberry for internet search as ridiculous as digging a Motorola beeper out of your pocket.  Coffee shops could face decreased usage as a place to do work and use free wireless if they don’t have access to Google Ethernet.  Overall, access to ultra high speed internet across the entire city will change people’s internet usage habits.

This experiment hopefully will result in all Americans having access to ultra-high speed internet access within the relatively near future.  Only time will tell which cities Google will pick and how soon the revolution to 1 Gigabit per second ethernet speed reaches us all.  So, whether you are in Columbus or not you should nominate your city before Google closes nominations tonight.

Eric Diaz

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