The ambitious project is designed to enable the tech company to compete directly with cable and TV industries, and indicates growing competition in the US broadband space.
Analysts have claimed Google’s growing presence in the telecoms sector provides cable giant Comcast with additional ammunition to push through its proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable, with the touted $45 billion deal now subject to regulatory approval.
Google owned YouTube is one of the biggest users of network capacity, and could be subject to be charged a premium if the FCC pushes through new net neutrality laws to keep broadband networks open. Existing broadband players could then impose of charge on companies like YouTube, or face restricted services.
Google Fiber has already announced the roll-out of three broadband networks in Kansas City, Austin and Provo, and is now significantly increasing its presence in the space.
Google is proposing the expansion in cities including: Portland, Salk Lake City, Nashville, Atlanta, San Antonio, Charlotte and Raleigh.
“People are hungrier than ever for faster internet, and as a result, cities across America are making speed a priority,” said Milo Medin, VP of Google Access Services.
