Google's hype machine worked
Yael T. AbouhalkahHand it to the Google guys and gals: Their hype machine worked.
The promoters of Google Fiber put on the pressure in the last week, trying to get Kansas Citians in certain neighborhoods to sign up for their product.
The threat: If you don’t do it now, your neighborhood may never see faster Internet speeds, at least from us.
And more than three dozen neighborhoods over the last few days reached the level of being a “green fiberhood,” with enough people pre-registered for the faster service. About 90 percent of the 202 fiberhoods in Kansas City and Kansas City, Kan., reached the qualification level.
On Monday, the Google people were clapping Kansas Citians on the back for buying in. Nothing wrong with that: Google had a product to sell and it used pressure, hype, the media and advertising to reach its goal.
Now what?
The Star reported that the few remaining non-fiberhoods will still have a chance to register for the service. That’s good, because it could help erase some of the city’s digital divide.
But an even more important announcement will come Thursday, when Google tells the public which neighborhoods will get Google Fiber first.
After that, reality will set in: Can Google actually deliver on all its promises?
Ed Tuey
8 months, 1 week agoI am not sure why this whole thing has been seen as a “digital divide”. Are people aware that for $300 (or $25 a month) you can get free internet . I think Google has gone above and beyond with their attempt in making KC a digital destination for “techies” and companies in the future. Anyone can afford $25 a month for internet. Quit making it a have vs. have-not’s issue when it clearly isn’t. I have no association with Google…but, wouldn’t mind if I did ;)
Luke McNabney
8 months, 1 week agoA lot of people are assuming that ‘everyone would want ultra high speed home broadband’, but that is flat out not true. Many people have chosen to eschew home internet connectivity - frequently the cause of technical headaches - in favor of depending exclusively on mobile devices. I’m sure most of the people in the ‘green’ neighborhoods have smartphones too, but they have more room in the budget for another monthly bill and are most likely to have many computers or connected devices at home. Google is just selling a service, and if a neighborhood is unwilling to buy that service than I believe it is wrong of public figures and journalists to try and shame them. Especially if they are using racial tones. Google setup a fair system which allowed the expensive installation of fiber to occur where demand dictates. Questioning that is just playing politics.