Tempe’s status as an innovative city has caught the attention of Google Fiber and may soon be responsible for the high-speed service arriving in Tempe.

“There are many reasons Google Fiber could have an impact on Tempe. They are Google, so they have big brand recognition and becoming a Google Fiber city promotes recognition throughout the world,” said Kris Baxter-Ging, public information officer for the city of Tempe. 

Google Fiber is a video services program that offers a broadband fiber network providing Internet protocol television and gigabit speed. In other words, the service would provide the same cable channels as other cable providers, but their Internet speed would be significantly faster. Forty times faster, to be exact. Whereas most broadband services have systems that operate at 11.9 megabits per second, Google Fiber operates at 1,000 megabits per second.

Although the agreement to install the network has not yet been finalized, the city of Tempe has approved a license for Google Fiber to use pre-existing aerial structures to install their network. By installing the system in these structures, the hassle and noise of construction will be minimal. In areas where there are no aerial structures, Google Fiber will go underground to install their system.

“The gigabit service offered by Google Fiber elevates (Tempe) to the small part of the world that has this limited service,” said Baxter-Ging with a tone of pride in her voice.

Rick Brody, a junior majoring in economics at Arizona State University, claimed that the potential arrival of Google Fiber in Tempe would bring a wave of competition to the Internet market.

“Google Fiber is the first new Internet provider in a long time, and they’ve created a really efficient service. Now we have a market where companies are finally beginning to compete with each other,” said Brody.

As many neighborhoods have a designated provider, there is a lack of competition in the market. Yet, Google Fiber will provide subscribers with faster everyday services as well as adding an edge to the research within Tempe.

“I knew one man who was researching a particular topic at work with a basic software. With the regular software it took him two weeks to finish the research, but at home he had the gigabit software and was able to complete the research within one hour,” said Baxter-Ging.

Tempe was not randomly selected as the new home for the gigabit software. According to a press release published on July 30 by the city of Tempe, Google Fiber stated that Tempe has the strongest online business community in the state.

“I definitely think that ASU’s high population of students has a correlation to Tempe’s innovative state,” said Kierstin Berg, Director of Student Services for Barrett, The Honors College at ASU.

According to the U.S News, ASU is the most innovative school of 2015. Immense research opportunities available at the school contribute highly to its recognition. ASU’s Industry and Startup program aids students in generating their ideas into potential companies. Additionally, Global development programs, such as the Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program, put students in contact with experts in their fields in order to further research.

“There are tremendous research opportunities at ASU. I’m sure there are probably students working on solving global issues such as Ebola,” said Baxter-Ging.

While Tempe has approved the software, Google Fiber must first meet with the cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale before they can proceed to set up their system and gain subscribers.

Google has already expanded the boundaries of this gigabit system to include Atlanta, Ga., Austin, Texas, Charlotte N.C., Kansas City, Mo., Nashville, Tenn., Provo, Utah, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Salt Lake City, Utah, and San Antonio, Texas. Yet, residents of Tempe are eagerly awaiting the software that could put their hometown on the map.

“It’s really crazy to have a new Internet provider and it’s even crazier that they want to come here,” said Brody with an undeniable hint of excitement in his voice as he thought about the future of Tempe’s Internet world.