Portland has set up a Web site touting its application for Google fiber --

-- and published its

online.

In addition to a good deal of statistics about Portland ("Percentage of mountains: 0;" "Average amount of rainfall per year (inches): 43"), the city makes its case directly to the Googles:

The right policies. Portland was the first government in the nation to endorse “open access” requirement to then-emerging broadband Internet platforms (December1998); we were the first: Open Source” city (September 2009) to place open source software on a level playing field with proprietary software in all procurement decisions; we are proud to be an international hub for “open-source” software.

The right history. Since1998, Portland has actively & consistently sought to catalyze construction of competitive, high speed open platform broadband networks through initiatives including a Broadband RFI (1999), municipal Wi-Fi, multiple planning phases toward launch of a Portland Community Fiber Network, and recent Council direction to develop an RFP seeking an FTTP network;

The right community. Portland has documented community enthusiasm, need, interest and demand for an open ultra-high-speed broadband system precisely such as Google proposes. Portland has a unique creative community and numerous local businesses standing ready to enthusiastically utilize Google’s visionary platform;

The right partnership. Portland is committed to collaborate and maximize Google’s investment in order to pioneer creative applications (known and unknown), advance educational opportunities, create jobs, and bridge the digital divide;

The right infrastructure. Portland utility plant is largely aerial (up to 80%) - “we’re ladder ready” and able to offer Google the substantial cost benefits associated with year round construction availability (due to our mild weather). We also have a skilled construction workforce ready to go.

A visionary partnership. We understand the amazing power of opportunity 1 gbps presents. Our creative nucleus coupled with Google’s vision can create a partnership to advance technology in a manner the likes of which has never been seen before.

More than

600

1,100 communities

to Google, which

to build a fiber-optic network to serve as many as 500,000 people somewhere in the country.

The company promises to charge market rates and offer download speeds up to 1 gigabit per second -- roughly 100 times faster than typical Oregon broadband connections today. Google says it will pick a winner -- or winners -- by year's end.