Google has invited cities in nine metro areas around the country, 34 cities altogether, to work with the company to explore Google Fiber possibilities.

Google plans to work closely with city leaders on a joint planning process that will map out a Google Fiber network in detail, and also assess what unique local challenges the company might face. Google says it is going to work on a study of local factors that could affect construction, like topography (e.g., hills, flood zones), housing density and the condition of local infrastructure.

Milo Medin (VP, Google Access Services): While we do want to bring Fiber to every one of these cities, it might not work out for everyone. But cities who go through this process with us will be more prepared for us or any provider who wants to build a fiber network. In fact, we want to give everyone a boost in their thinking about how to bring fiber to their communities.  

Meanwhile, cities will complete a checklist of items for Google. For example, they’ll have to provide the company with maps of existing conduit, water, gas and electricity lines, and so on.

Google Fiber offers Internet service with speeds some 100 times faster than what most of us live with currently. The service is currently available in Kansas City, Austin and Provo. Google says it will provide updates by the end of the year about which cities will be getting Google Fiber next.

[Image courtesy: Google]