More than 600 communities vying for ultra-fast broadband network from Google

More than 600 communities vying for Google network

WASHINGTON — More than 600 communities have approached Google Inc. in hopes of landing one of the ultra-fast broadband networks that the company plans to build in a handful of spots around the country.

Last month, Google said it will build experimental fiber-optic networks that will deliver Internet connections of 1 gigabit per second to as many as 500,000 Americans. That would be up to 300 times faster than the broadband services reaching most U.S. homes today.

Friday marked the deadline for governments and citizens to express interest. Google said the response has been “tremendous and creative,” with communities using everything from YouTube videos to Facebook groups to public rallies to promote themselves. The company will announce winners by the end of the year.