The University of Michigan and the city of Ann Arbor have teamed up to convince Google to pick Ann Arbor for Google's Fiber for Communities trial. One of the key components of Google's selection process is applicants must demonstrate strong community support and participation. That's where you can play an important supporting role.

Google will pick a number of communities for a pilot project in which it will install a broadband network that would stream data at 1 gigabit per second, or about 100 times faster than cable or DSL providers.

The benefits are numerous. A few key ones are:

• This capability will give Ann Arbor a strategic competitive differentiator in the global markets as other countries in Asia and Europe are already installing high-bandwidth fiber.

• New "killer apps" and services could be delivered right your door. A growing number of companies are offering "software as service," which means you will be able to subscribe to applications over the web and won't need to install them on your own computer.

• It will give Ann Arbor homes commercial level internet access to our world-class medical center and network of higher education institutions.

• Ann Arbor residents will be able to quickly download feature-length movies, better stream performances or upload their own movies.

Please show your support and help spread the word. Grand Rapids already has 21,000+ Facebook fans, let's show them what we can do!

Thanks,

Laura Patterson
Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President, Information and Technology Services

By March 26, please show your support by taking one or more of the following steps:

• Become an A2Fiber Facebook fan

• Create your own video on YouTube

• Follow A2Fiber on Twitter

• Sign up to receive A2Fiber e-mail notifications

• Submit a community group and resident nomination form

• Spread the word!

Visit A2Fiber to learn more.