Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) is a strong supporter of the two 15th District bids to become Google’s test communities for ultra-high speed broadband networks.  According to Google, the “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.”  The company promises to “offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.”  Congressman Dingell sent the following letter to Google CEO Eric Schmidt supporting the effort.

Dear Mr. Schmidt:

I am writing to express my support for efforts to bring Google’s experiment in ultra-high speed broadband networks to the 15th District of Michigan.  There are two bids from  my district – one comprised of the Cities of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and the University of Michigan (UM), and another from Pittsfield Township, Saline Township, and Saline Area Schools. 

Ann Arbor’s expanding alternative energy sector, their world-class University, the energetic students, and the vibrant citizenry serve to make it an ideal candidate to test the broad range of uses for future fiber optic networks across the country.  Pittsfield and Saline bring together a range of citizens and small businesses that will present a unique opportunity for Google to explore the benefits of high-speed fiber optic cables in both urban and rural areas.

As Michigan continues to diversify its economy, it is becoming increasingly dependent on a new kind of infrastructure; where in past decades it was quick transit on the highways, the present demands that more and more of our economy must now rely on the quick transit of information.  We see that throughout the Southeast corner of Michigan.  The presence of the University of Michigan – encompassing everything from their engineering school to the massive Health System – requires enormous amounts of bandwidth.  Furthermore, the success of statewide initiatives like the establishment and expansion of health information technology, which is being lead by Altarum Institute in Ann Arbor, will depend on advanced telecommunications technology like ultra high-speed broadband.  Such is also the case for alternative energy companies like A123 Systems, who are on the cutting edge of reducing our nation’s reliance on foreign fuels while simultaneously spurring the creation of green jobs.  Google clearly already recognizes Ann Arbor’s potential as it has decided to locate offices in the city and has quickly become an active and valuable corporate citizen.

And Ann Arbor is perfectly suited to make the most of this new technology.  When Advance Publications, owners of more than 25 newspapers across the country, wanted to change a traditional newspaper into an online media company that publishes a newspaper twice a week, the company selected Ann Arbor over the rest of their cities for this bold, new project.  In their research, Advance found that “92% of the community has the skills and technology set-up for online news” (Ann Arbor News, March 23, 2009).

Pittsfield and Saline Townships offer something distinct, as well; the chance to display the benefits of the ultra-high speed broadband network in classic American towns.  Google would be providing an opportunity to show the potential that such infrastructure can unlock when deployed in middle American settings.  Towns like these are where millions of Americans live and work and their feedback and experiences with Google Fiber could offer very beneficial perspectives as to the scalability of this type of infrastructure in similar communities.

Finally, if the goal of this experiment is to test the future of information infrastructure in America, who better to explore its potential than the current students at UM and the Saline High schools who will be the ones to harness this technology well into the future?  Sergey Brin and Larry Page have created a dynamic company with a history of creating opportunities for those who use its services.  It is exciting to think about the further accomplishments Larry Page could have had during his time in Ann Arbor if UM had the very capabilities which Google can now offer.  Providing the ultra-high speed broadband would allow the next major technological innovators – whether in business, health, energy, or academia – to also grow out of the 15th District’s diverse environment.

I hope that you will select Ann Arbor and/or Pittsfield for this project for all the reasons above and the thousands more that are being proposed throughout community meetings and social networks.  I look forward to learning of your decision in the coming weeks.

 
With every good wish,

 

 

                                                                                Sincerely yours,

 

                                                                                John D. Dingell

                                                                                Member of Congress