Jan Update on Gigabit Internet in Charlotte

Gigabit news and events in Charlotte

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January 2016

Charlotte was named the Google eCity of North Carolina for 2015. Google's spokesperson Lilyn Hester said “Charlotte’s small business community is on fire!"

See who attended the event: read our blog post here.

Google Fiber selects the former Dixie's Tavern building for their Charlotte office. Expected move-in date is the end of January. Read the article from Charlotte Agenda here.

In December Google Fiber also announced that Los Angeles and Chicago are now on the evaluation list as future cities. Read the story here.

AT&T's mission to blanket most of the US with gigabit internet is moving at full speed: In December AT&T expanded GigaPower fiber Internet service to 38 more cities, including Asheville. See the complete list of new cities here.

The multi-dwelling fight is on. In December, residents at The Element apartments in uptown were treated to a Crispy Crepe breakfast and a TV giveaway by AT&T.

Meanwhile, Google Fiber is hiring MxU Account Managers across the southeast: view description and apply here.

It's clear that both companies are aggressively courting MDUs.

Select areas of Gaston County have access to Gigabit with AT&T's GigaPower service. (Thanks to Dr. Steve Hannon for sharing his speed test results - see pic.)

For a description of a user experience activating GigaPower, read our blog post.

If you've recently activated GigaPower, tell us about your experience! Email us at info@charlotteheartsgigabit.com.

Microsoft Affordable Access Initiative Microsoft is providing grants averaging $75,000 to commercial entities for scalable solutions that enable people in underserved communities to access the Internet and use cloud services. Your solution could be the one that connects the world. Must apply by January 15. Click here for info on the grant.

Windstream is beginning Gigabit trials, but unfortunately nothing has been announced in Charlotte yet. For a preview of what's to come see their announcement of a trial in Lexington KY: read here.

Fiber builds are not often pretty (this picture is a Google Fiber pole in the Blakeney area of Charlotte).

In Raleigh residents complain.
In Charlotte, we say Bring It.

We read it and you should too:

How AT&T is out-building Google Fiber: Read Washington Post article.
Life in the Fast Lane: What Gigabit Internet makes better. Read here.
Charter, buyer of TWC, promises 30/4 Mbps Internet speeds for $14.99 per month. Read here.
Pew Research: Fewer people are using home broadband because it's costly. Read here.
Comcast Gigabit service goes live: No Google Fiber killer yet: Read here.

Jan 13 - Chamber of Commerce Ballantyne Chapter Luncheon - Gigabit Internet and the Impact on Charlotte. Details and registration here.

Jan 23 - Digital Charlotte Neighborhood Update event. Free, open event. Click for details and registration.

Jan 29 - Gigabit Lunch 'n Learn at Harris Teeter HQ. (Closed event)

Feb 12 - Gigabit Internet presentation to the Charlotte Area Consultants meetup group. Join and register here.

April - We are working with Light Reading to bring the Gigabit Cities Live conference to Charlotte in 2016. Stay tuned for details!

May 16-18: Gigabit City Summit in Kansas City. See event site here.

Thank you to our Growth Partners!

Would your business like to be a Growth Partner for Charlotte Hearts Gigabit?

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For more information on Gigabit Internet in the community, including links to resources, visit our website: http://charlotteheartsgigabit.com.

Access December 2015 Newsletter
Access November 2015 Newsletter
Access October 2015 Newsletter

Access previous newsletters and other helpful resources on our website here.

Would you like someone from the Charlotte Hearts Gigabit team to speak to your group? Email us at info@charlotteheartsgigabit.com.