For some time now, Google has been trying to bring broad availability of low-cost, high-speed internet service to small businesses in the Midwest, as part of an effort to test the viability of such systems in larger markets. Now, it seems that companies in many areas of two cities will be able to sign up.
Google Fiber recently announced an Early Access Program for small businesses in a few neighborhoods in both Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, that will allow such companies to potentially access blazing fast internet service for relatively low prices, according to a report from the company. The service will cost just $100 per month, and give those companies internet access speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second for both uploads and downloads.
“Earlier this year, we started a pilot in Kansas City to learn more about what business owners need,” Carlos Casas, Kansas City field team manager for Google Fiber, wrote in announcing the new plan. “We heard from documentary filmmakers, flower shops, web development agencies, and more. All of these small businesses have a lot of ideas on how a faster Internet connection could speed up their entire business – we can’t wait to see what they do with Google Fiber.”
What else comes with it?
Companies that sign up for the Early Access Program will also receive some peripheral benefits, such as the price of $100 per month being guaranteed for a full year, a waived construction fee that would normally be applied at sign-up, and the ability to cancel the service at any time, the report said. Companies will also get a network box that includes firewall protection, online network management, and “high performance” WiFi.
Companies that are not in the areas of the two cities that currently have access to the program will also be able to sign up for more information about their options as they become available, the report said. Further, Google plans to roll out similar services in the near future for both Provo, Utah, and Austin, Texas.
Owners who want to position themselves to succeed in a number of ways going forward might want to consider the value of cutting costs so they can devote more money to other aspects of their companies. This could include taking the time to find more affordable small business insurance, including policies for commercial insurance, to potentially free up thousands of dollars annually.
