Google is holding events in Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, next week and is reportedly planning to begin Google Fiber construction in the state as early as April.
There's no official announcement, but WRAL TechWire quoted "industry sources" as saying that Google Fiber is coming to the Research Triangle area in Raleigh and Durham.
"A formal announcement might come as early as next week at Google events in Raleigh and Durham, but the company won't say what those events are about," WRAL reported today. "Speaking to WRAL TechWire, a source who asked to remain anonymous said Google is seeking bids to begin building a fiber network as early as April. 'Drill crews' have been sought for the fiber-laying process."
Raleigh and Durham events are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Vague invitations were received:
Looks like Google Fiber has chosen Raleigh and Durham as its next expansion cities pic.twitter.com/FUMQ3GnP7S
— New Raleigh (@NewRaleigh) January 23, 2015
Google also sent out a Save the Date invitation for an event in Charlotte on Wednesday, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Google declined comment when contacted by Ars.
Raleigh, North Carolina, CIO Gail Roper recently described to Ars how the city was initially not selected by Google for fiber, but then struck a fiber deal with AT&T. According to WRAL, Roper declined to comment about Google Fiber, citing a non-disclosure agreement. We contacted Roper today but haven't heard back yet.
Google Fiber came first to Kansas City and later announced expansion plans in Provo, Utah, and Austin, Texas. A year ago, Google announced nine additional metro areas that it was considering, including Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte. The other seven under consideration are Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; San Antonio, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Jose, California; and Portland, Oregon.
reader comments
95