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Why Fiber?


Not everybody knows what terms like "fiber" or "broadband" mean, but that's OK! Google Fiber would essentially give Huntington the capacity to run a much more powerful internet in much the same fashion as having a bigger engine would allow us to operate a much more powerful car. World-renowned pianist Alexander Tutunov explained it another way while he was in Huntington as a guest of the Huntington Symphony Orchestra:

World-renowned Pianist on Google Fiber Huntington


Even if you aren't as web-savvy as the neighborhood computer whiz, you're still communicating with your friends, family, co-workers, local businesses, and your government in ways that are increasingly online, but most of that interaction is still modeled for the information infrastructure of yesterday. As we progress into the information age, that "more powerful internet" could mean big improvements in all aspects of our lives.

It's OK if no great ideas or innovative visions come to mind right off the bat. We think they'll come in time as we as a city become more familiar with sharing information online. In the meantime, we'll share some of the ideas we have had about the Google Fiber project. In fact, we've thought of six big areas of our everyday lives that we think could be revolutionized by Google Fiber in Huntington, WV. Over time, we hope to share more and more of those ideas with you and hear what great new ones you come up with on your own!


Six key areas:

Health

 Connected communities can re-think the way patients communicate with their doctors and the way doctors cooperate to provide a better-informed, more unified healthcare experience. In addition to a greatly improved quality of service, the Google Fiber project would afford our hospitals the opportunity to make significant gains in efficiency, resulting in reduced cost for patients at a time when healthcare costs are soaring.
Civics and Government

 Google Fiber could change the way our citizens and our government interact. A more direct line between the home and our city's leaders would bring the city of Huntington closer to its constituents, resulting in a more informed, more engaged citizenry as well as a more effective and efficient city government. Citizen and community involvement in the stewardship of our city could reach new heights with the powerful new set of communication and connectivity tools Google Fiber would catalyze in Huntington for both individuals and civic groups like Create Huntington or the Huntington Community Gardens to strengthen their arms and expand their reach into the community.
Entertainment

 The power to share rich multi-media content and easily engage audiences with interactive experiences will change the way we think of local entertainment in the 21st Century. Google Fiber in our community could bring local shows, sporting events, and other products of Huntington's vibrant art culture onto an exciting new canvas.


Education

In a fiber-connected Huntington, our teachers could deliver a world-class education to students even after they leave the classroom, or when they are unable to attend school in person. Lessons and feedback could be easily accessible to students and parents online bringing the classroom into the home like never before.
Business

 Google Fiber has the potential to benefit every business in Huntington by providing the ability to collaborate, prototype, and innovate online.   Furthermore, with such a dynamic shift in our telecommunications landscape new businesses could start or existing companies could move here.  Meanwhile our current communications companies could expand their offerings in our area thanks to the Open Access Network Google has promised to provide. If Huntington had the fastest internet speeds in the country the economic benefits would be innumerable.
Organization and Communication

Having a fully-connected Huntington could change the way we organize our lives and the way we communicate with each other, from our families and friends to our employers to our own government. With Google Fiber, Huntington could lead the charge as the internet continues to revolutionize the way we share information with each other.