Google has just announced it is planning to launch a high speed data network operating at up to 1 gigabit speeds. Wow!

We’re planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

And they appear to be doing so in conjunction with local governments who are being asked to apply, which is a great way to go, given the foot-dragging by for-profit ISPs in bringing the US truly high speed data.