Google moves toward fiber network locale

Google over the next few months will be reviewing locales where it may build its experimental fiber network.

The search giant in February said it would build an experimental fiber optic network in an attempt to illustrate the art of the possible in a small number of communities in the U.S. Since that news, Google has been pitched by 600 responses from communities. Individuals also chimed in.

Now that requests for information are about over, Google will make a selection. Google said in a post:

Over the coming months, we'll be reviewing the responses to determine where to build. As we narrow down our choices, we'll be conducting site visits, meeting with local officials and consulting with third-party organizations. Based on a rigorous review of the data, we will announce our target community or communities by the end of the year.

Google only plans to reach 50,000 to 500,000 people with its experiment, but you'd think every community would want to be involved. The press that Google's ultra-fast network could generate would be great for local businesses and future development.

This story originally appeared at ZDNet's Between the Lines.