San Antonio Selected As Potential Google Fiber Network Site

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Mark Strama, Head of Google Fiber in Austin, stands with city leaders at the initial announcement of Fiber

Credit Joey Palacios / Texas Public Radio

Google Fiber has selected San Antonio as one of nine metro areas to potentially receive its super fast internet connection.
With the ability to download 1 gigabyte per second, it’s already 100 times faster than what’s available for most homes in San Antonio. Google and the city announced that plans to bring Google Fiber to the Alamo city are in motion.

“It’ll mean faster internet speeds and also competition that will create lower rates so access is more affordable," said Mayor Julián Castro. "That’s good for business, it’s good for education.”
Google Fiber is not a guarantee at this point but Castro said he is confident it will go through. Google still has to determine if the existing above and underground cable infrastructure  -- like CPS Energy’s fiber network -- can support it. Mark Strama, head of Google Fiber in Austin, said San Antonio was chosen due to city leadership already embracing future technology.
“That may be more important than a lot of the other physical things we look for," Strama said. "It matters what the constructability of a city is but it really flows from city leadership.”
San Antonio submitted its proposal in 2010. Atlanta, Portland, Nashville, San Jose, and Salt Lake City are also being examined. Kansas City gained the first Google Fiber network and Austin is in the process of setting one up. A decision for San Antonio is expected later this year.