Google Fiber Flirting With Bringing High-Speed Internet Service To Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Google Fiber is looking at the City of Angels as the next home for high-speed Internet service for the masses, potentially joining AT&T, which on Monday announced plans to build a fiber-optic network in the Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Tuesday that Google Fiber, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet Inc., is in talks with the city, with the company's engineers exploring in the next few months the feasibility of a network in Los Angeles.
City officials said the introduction of AT&T's GigaPower service and the possibility of a Google Fiber network in Los Angeles could lead to cheaper and faster Internet service.
"Expanding, improving and strengthening Internet access throughout Los Angeles is vital to further accelerating L.A.'s economic growth -- and affordable service is essential to erasing a digital divide that leaves too many people without the tools to maximize potential in the 21st century," Garcetti said. "When companies like Google and AT&T invest in our communities, it shows that L.A. is determined to be America's most connected city, and will continue leading the world in innovation and creativity."
On Monday, AT&T announced the availability of 1-gigabit-per-second Internet in Los Angeles, starting with two luxury apartment complexes in the downtown area.
Company officials said the high-speed fiber-optic GigaPowerSM service will allow residential and small business Internet users in Los Angeles to download music, movies and other data more quickly.
The Eighth and Grand and Hanover Grand Avenue apartment complexes in downtown Los Angeles are the first to have access to the gigabit Internet speed service, while access is expected in areas in the rest of Los Angeles next year.
Garcetti said "fast, affordable Internet is essential for today's cities" and will help with efforts to "efficiently deliver electricity, transportation, clean water and lighted streets to Angelenos."
In addition to the gigabit service, AT&T is looking to work with Los Angeles in providing citywide wireless Internet service, recently submitting a proposal to the city for the CitylinkLA project.
City officials are reviewing the CityLinkLA proposals.
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