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Is Charlotte The Next Google Fiber City?

Google is of course considering whether or not to deliver Google Fiber to a possible 34 potential cities, of which only a few are likely to be chosen. Right before Christmas Google delayed the announcement of the next city (or cities), but stated they'd be announcing the next Google Fiber city early next year.

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It's possible that Google Fiber's next stop will be in North Carolina.

A number of groups and Charlotte city officials are being invited to a Google reception that's being held on Wednesday, January 28 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Invites are being sent out for a simultaneous event to be held in Raleigh on the same day, and one in Durham on January 29. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham were all listed on Google's map of potential cities.

"There was no agenda or topic listed, and the location details were 'to follow,'" notes one group on the invite. "The RSVP form was basic contact information, although there was a box to check if you are a city official."

The event could be to herald something significantly less sexy, though North Carolina would be a very clever choice for Google Fiber.

In addition to being home to several cities ready to bend over backward for better broadband choices, it has been a key location in the battlefield over municipal broadband. Time Warner Cable, AT&T and Centurylink wrote and lobbied to pass a law hindering community broadband back in 2011 after three previous attempts. As such, setting up a Google Fiber fortification in these companies backyards would shine a very bright spotlight on their uncompetitive territorial fiefdoms and government's complacency in building them.

"We don't have any news to share right now, but we hope to give you an update on Google Fiber early this year," Google told me when asked to comment.

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drjosh121
join:2002-01-06
Matthews, NC

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drjosh121

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Fiber Map...Maybe

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Proposed Fiber Hut map for charlotte