In early February, Google announced that it intends to plan and build an experimental network of fiber-optic cables to reach roughly 50,000 and 500,000 people or 20,000 to 200,000 homes in the United States. The new network is proposed to be up to 100 times faster than current home Internet connections.

Google posted a video explaining the project.

Learn more about the Fiber for Communities project on the Google site.

There are two applications to Google's Request for Information, or RFI. One is for municipal governments, and the City of Carlsbad is preparing a response to this RFI. The other application is for individuals who want to nominate the community.

The City of Carlsbad is working with the Carlsbad community to build local support for Carlsbad's bid to be one of the cities selected by Google. The city appreciates nominations from the community.

All applications are due March 26, 2010.