Fast Internet experiment for Appleton?

APPLETON, Wis. - Nationwide, cities are fighting for an ultra high speed Internet, and Appleton wants a piece of the action. Some cities are going to great lengths, competing for the service.

"Topeka Kansas has changed their name to Google Kansas to show their communities support for this project," said Community Development Director Karen Harkness.

It's a temporary name change, but don't count on Appleton becoming Google Wisconsin. However, Harkness said the city is intrigued.

According to Google's Web site, it wants to launch experimental Internet in one or several locations nationwide. It says the service will be 100 times faster than what some areas have now, provide it for up to 500,000 people, and offer it at a competitive price. So what do community members think?

"Who wouldn't want faster internet?" said Laine Mueller of Appleton.

A City of Appleton survey went up Wednesday asking community members for feedback on the service. By Thursday, 34 responded. Of those, 96 % are in favor, versus 3% percent opposed. Harkness said that three percent say they oppose because they want to know more information.

"Do you only get it for so long and then they're gonna take it away from you?" said resident Ryan Mehlberg.

"There certainly are more questions than there are answers. We have no idea about the competitive cost, we don't know the structure because we haven't had an opportunity to have a dialogue with Google themselves," said Harkness.

A spokesperson for Google said; "It's too early to say how much we will charge for access to our network. We plan to set prices that are fair and competitive"

They would not give specifics on the program.

Another concern is what this would mean for local Internet service providers.

"We don't want to see anything happen to AT&T or Time Warner cable," said Harkness.

Time Warner Cable spokesperson Stacy Zaja said the company isn't worried.

"We have other service providers in the area and we compete every day. We are constantly working to improve our services," Zaja said.

Some Appleton residents say competition is just what they want.

"Any more competition, just the same thing with cable television, I think would be a good thing for people. More choices is always good," said Mehlberg.

Appleton will hold a public meeting on March 8th to get more community feedback on the issue. The deadline to apply is March 26th. Google does not have a set date to make its decision.

AT&T had no comment about Google's plan because it is not certain if the service is even coming to Appleton.