As requested. Hi! I am currently working on the Google Fiber Project. Ask me anything!

Just please don't get yourself fired for this like the last time we had an unofficial iama from someone working (admittedly indirectly) for Google.

I will not give out any information that would jeopardize my position :).

When it comes to the UK will it be Google Fibre?

I'm sorry I do not know any information outside of north america :*(

I think it was a UK/US spelling (Fibre/Fiber) joke.

On a side note: are you expanding to other countries such as Australia at all?

:P Unfortunately I am unsure of anything outside of north america. That's above my pay grade.

So how about Canada, any news when it's coming North?

Sorry I can't say :*(

How about Iowa?

Sorryi can't say :*(

What did you do to obtain this position?

I actually got offered the position from a family friend.

Wait, what? I thought Google had a really rigorous hiring process?

I'm sure they do. I got lucky and kind of fell into this job.

I'm going to marry my way into google

I would go for "the Chive" or "anheuser busch" something more fun :)

I think EVERYONE wants it to come to their neighborhood. How long until it goes national? Even though it's expensive (I suspect) to roll out, I'm sure Google would dominate the market.

I do not know a timeline, but I do know they are expanding. And Fast.

What's it like to use Google Fiber? I've been stuck on 5 down and 1 up for my whole life, I wonder if it will blow my mind.

It literally is mind blowing. I don't get to use it often, but when I do....imagine flawless surfing.

Literally?

LITERALLY FTW

It makes me want to move to a state that has it. :(

It is quite amazing. All HD channels + blazing fast internet speeds.....

Well is it really 1GB?

surprisingly it is very close to those speeds from what i've used. I can only imagine the speeds in 10 years.

Can you describe what the map is showing?

That map is showing a cabinet location as well as network access points. A cabinet is what controls the signal relay from the hut to a neighborhood.

I always hear great thing about Google Fiber, but have you heard anything negative?

I have heard negative things actually, but it is usually uneducated bums complaining about the free side of the network.

If the service is offered in your town can you upgrade if you pay?

As far as i know you get either gigabit or the 5mb. I would have to do some research to see if there are other plans offered.

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Nothing like working for someone who is never wrong :). Seriously though its a good opportunity, however every boss has their pros/cons.

What is your role in the project? And how many people are involved?

I am currently on a team that handles all trouble calls in kckc/kcmo. As far as how many people are involved I am unsure. The number is to high for me to put together from my position.

• Are you an engineer? Or do you work more on the the logistics of making the infrastructure?
• What google headquarters are you located at?
• Does google have a timeline for providing google fiber nation wide?
• Do you enjoy working for google?

I am not an engineer. I am currently on a team working on all trouble calls. For instance if there is an interruption in service, or they are having trouble routing light they call us in. As my experience grows, working in this field is actually a lot of fun. Sure it's stressful at times with deadlines and what not, but the reactions of people help make things worth it. Also I do not know the timelines, all I know are a few "rumors".

Any plans for expanding to Canada?

Sorry I can't say:(

If i can get my small village of 15 people to change its name to google or fiber can we get google fiber here. Please say yes. Nebraska boonies but 5 miles from an average size town

Haha I know how you feel.

Is google fiber in California? If it is I would love to get it.

I have heard talk about the east coast. Also from my understanding google fiber goes where the want is. So the more people that want and will sign up the service, the more likely you are to get it faster.

Are there people who don't want it?

Everyone I have spoke to Wants it.

But to answer your question there are several people in each neighborhood who do not subscribe to it.

Only several

A cabinet holds roughly 288 customers. I'd would guesstimate 4/5ths of each active cabinet is being used.

What's the coolest thing about Fiber that most people don't know about?

To me the coolest thing is the fact that we have yet to tap the potential of speeds that fiber has to offer. However with graphene being studied, the current glass type fiber might become obsolete soon :/.

Google uses multiple standards for communications over fiber, if you are seeing 1GB now, they have a 10GB version they are using internally, and a 100GB version in design phase. They never let anyone see what they are really working on, and dont need to when people clamor for what they show and always have something better on the way. People really don't realize the level of networking hardware they are making in house now.

I've seen the hardware in the huts, and those speeds are possible. I don't know how it is on the backbone end though.

What exactly is google fiber for someone who hasn't been update on recent technology?

It is a gigabit internet service as well as an hd cable service. It also offers a 5mb download service for free with terms and conditions.

Couple questions here. I live in Austin and Ive heard yall are planning on moving in here soon and was wondering how soon that would be. Also, from what Ive read, Fiber also provides cable. Is the cable they provide near the quality of say Uverse or Time Warner?

I can't speak of any kind of timelines sorry :*(. But as for question #2 the cable quality is actually impressive. All of the channels were in high definition, and the interface was responsive "non laggy" which is always a plus for me.

When is Google Fiber coming to Wisconsin? :(

I can not say anything about timelines :*(

Are you an employee of Google proper, or a subcontractor? Do you get to partake in the legendary perks and benefits Google offers its employees?

I do not get any crazy Google benefits :/.

So will you ever be working in Overland Park?

I have worked in overland park :)

Okay, I'm stuck with TWC, and they're not a provider we want. I think we might switch to Google Fiber if they're as far south as 159th.

If you are able to get google fiber in your area. DO IT.

How do you prioritize between video games and internet porn?

Id say 50/50.

Curious if you know what electronics are being used in the cabinets? Something like Calix, Adtran, Brocade or in house produced? Curious as a former service provider employee doing fiber to the home.

Clearfield. I believe is the manufacturer.

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If I were in your shoes. I would simply start an online petition to show the amount of want in your area.

why in your estimation is it taking so freakin' long for the US to get fast internet?

Seriously the government. They have so many policies in place that it takes forever to get approved for anything.

Ok so 2 questions: Why did Google pil Kansas for the first release point? Will Google move on to bigger fish after this project like 4G or maybe even develope 5G?

My assumption would be that kansas is the center of the country, and would be easy to expand from. I have no idea about them building any wireless networks sorry :*(

Alright thank you for your answer and keep up the good work!

You are welcome! Thanks for the support!

is arizona getting google fiber anytime soon is is it only in certin states?

I am unsure of any timelines sorry :*(

Are there any plans at all about expanding into the UK? 3.5 down and .5 up is depressing as shit.

Those speeds are unbearable. Sorry mate I know nothing outside north america.

That's unbearable? I have 1.7 down 0.3 up! wink wink, nudge nudge

haha that makes me want to cry...no offense

How can we the consumers sign up for Google fiber beforehand?

The way they did it in Kckc/kcmo had several levels of sign up opportunities. They had stations they drove around collecting information from people in each area. There were also flyers placed on each home for contact information. Not to mention the billboard + radio ads.

How do you get a job recruiting people to sign up when they get to your area?

That I am not sure of, however the girls who were running it were attractive 20 somethings.

Can you post a speedtest.net screenshot?

I could if I were currently on the network. I should be able to get one next week sometime.

Do you use arcFM?

No I personally do not.

Can you tell us how it's coming as far as other cities getting it go? Or where at least the next place to get it is going to be?

I can not talk about timelines or locations sorrrrrrrrrrrrry :*(

Its here, http://goo.gl/maps/D24wr

And the dates on the plan say "AS BUILT" in Oct 2013.

(Warning Project dates are ALWAYS closer than they appear)

The map is old. That area is already built :)

Though I know you can't tell me about future plans, I'd like to you to know that Las Vegas is every city you've ever done, only with Bender's approval: it also has beer and hookers,

I lived in manhattan condos in Henderson for 2 years. Vegas is one of my favorite cities.

i work just about on your map screenshot... was at crown center just the other day for a meeting.

and can you tell the people installing the boxes to pick up their god damn trash out of my yard?

im excited that it looks like i will be getting access in my hood soon, but the people doing the work are slobs and there is trash everywhere now. those filthy animals.

I here you, and believe it or not all work is inspected and if there is trash left the contractors are reprimanded.

Hi, Would Google fiber be available in places where other providers lack? My concern is that if you live out of the city, would you be able to get the internet speeds that are usually limited to customers that are inside the city limits?

I'm sorry I can't answer this.

You mentioned that Google Fiber is expanding extremely rapidly. How is it expanding, exactly? New sprouts of fiber in new cities, or direct expansion from Kansas City, Nebraska?

It's expanding city-city. For ex. Provo, austin, kckc.

What did you study in Univeristy/ College / at all?

I'm a computer science major. With plenty of certifications. I'm actually about to go into network security.

When will Austin, TX actually get google fiber, and are you using an existing dark fiber network or are you having to setup everything for each individual house?

Austin from my understanding is in process. I've heard they have been having trouble getting permits from the city, which slows the building of the network tremendously.

r u coming to orlando?

I'm sorry I can not talk about locations or time lines :*(.

So will current location with google fiber expand outwards? I live about 10 min outside of Provo and was wondering if I can expect to see it sooner then latter.

From my understanding Provo was already built before google put their hands on it. So as far as expanding that network I am unsure.

Just tell me this...how far away do I have to move to get Google Fiber by the beginning of 2015? I'm in the NW suburbs of Chicago

I am sorry I can not :*(

Any chance we can get it in Reno sometime? No colo's here worth a crap and have to drive to Sacramento to work on servers.

I know of a few rumors where fiber will be headed next. Unfortunately I can not disclose that information for it will endanger my job :)

Can you give us any information on whether Google collaborates with the NSA?

Hmm that I am not sure about. If i were a government agency that spied on all network traffic for the "safety of the American people" I would make my self required by all ISPs. That's just my opinion.

Can you give me an estimate on when it should arrive to Farmington, MO?

I'm sorry I can not talk about timelines or locations :*(.

When can we see Google Fiber in Denver? I'm late, I know!

I'm sorry I can not talk about timelines or locations :*(.

Just smile if I can expect it in the next 2 years!

you're killing me smalls

My friends cousin works at Google, do you know an Indian guy with the last name "Thomas"?

No sorry.