Jamie McGee

jmcgee@tennessean.com;

A Google Fiber rep is headed to Nashville this week to continue investigating the company's local expansion efforts, this time focusing on bringing high-speed access into neighborhoods historically lacking access to that kind of service.

The idea is to help residents of all income levels gain high-speed access. Erica Swanson, Google Fiber program manager for digital inclusion, will meet with city officials, nonprofits and tech organizations Wednesday to gain insights on the needs and challenges concerning connectivity in Nashville.

Swanson's visit will be the third meeting Google Fiber has had with city leaders since announcing in February that it was scoping out Nashville and eight other metropolitan areas for expansion of its fiber optic network, which is advertised as being up to 100 times faster than basic broadband.

In addition to offering the gigabit-per-second connection, Google Fiber can connects households to basic broadband without a monthly fee, although a one-time installation fee is required.

The possibility of bringing Google Fiber to Nashville has been welcomed by city officials, tech leaders, business executives and consumers for its capability to increase connectivity speeds, offer alternatives to current Internet providers and put Nashville on the map as a technologically advanced community.

Additionally, many have pointed to its potential to help address the current digital divide that exists between lower-income and affluent areas of the city through its basic broadband option.

In Kansas City, Mo., and Kan., Google Fiber's first roll-out area, the basic broadband installation fee is $300, which can be broken up into monthly payments of $25.

In Tennessee, 32 percent of households are not connected to the Internet, according to a 2012 survey from Connected Tennessee, a public-private entity focused on increasing available technology in the state. In Nashville, 44 percent of Metro public school students live in households without Internet capabilities, according to Information Technology Services Director Keith Durbin, citing a 2012 study.

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The meeting is expected to be the first of many concerning digital inclusion that Google Fiber will have with city leaders. It is meant to give Google Fiber a better understanding of what efforts are already underway in Nashville concerning connectivity and what specific challenges the city faces.

While Swanson is in Nashville, she will meet with the Martha O'Bryan Center, a Nashville nonprofit serving people in poverty; Connected Tennessee; and city officials.

That Google is addressing the issue of digital inclusion this early in the exploration process is encouraging, Durbin said.

"It shows they recognize what an issue it is and that it's something that communities everywhere are struggling with," he said.

Google's checklist

Representatives from Metro departments met with Google Fiber representatives last month to share more details on what information Google Fiber will need to determine whether to move forward in Nashville. The company has asked for information on existing infrastructure and assurance the city can handle a heavy flow of permit requests. An extended checklist from Google has been divided among departments, which have until May 1 to respond, Durbin said.

Last week, the company also had discussions with Metro Public Works and local utilities about geographic information systems mapping data, working out details such as what's included on maps.

On March 4, Metro Council members sent a letter to several city department directors, calling Google Fiber "a tremendous opportunity" and asking for feedback on what is needed to bring the network to Nashville.

Reach Jamie McGee at 615-259-8071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_.

Internet access

» In Tennessee, 32 percent of households are not connected to the Internet, according to a 2012 survey from Connected Tennessee, a public-private entity focused on increasing available technology in the state.

» In Nashville, 44 percent of Metro public school students live in households without Internet capabilities, according to Information Technology Services Director Keith Durbin.