PITTSBURGH) February 12, 2010 - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today that the City of Pittsburgh will seek designation by Google Inc. as a target community for the company's plan to construct an ultra-high speed broadband network in one or more locations across the country. The City will be assisted in this effort by Carnegie Mellon University, a recognized leader in networking and computer science as well as engineering research and education.

On February 10, Google announced an initiative to deploy and test fiber optic networks to at least 50,000, and potentially up to 500,000, people in the United States. The networks will deliver Internet services at a speed of 1 gigabit per second, which is more than 100 times faster than the speeds available to most Americans today. The communities selected by Google will be "testbed" communities that will help the company demonstrate the new capabilities enabled by faster and better broadband access. Google will pay for the construction and operation of the networks and will charge consumers competitive rates for the service.

Ravenstahl perceives this initiative as a potential economic development tool for the City of Pittsburgh: "When companies look to locate or expand, one of the most important factors in their decision is the availability of state-of-the-art infrastructure. While this includes traditional infrastructure like roads, bridges, water and power, it also includes communications infrastructure such as high-speed broadband networks. We will work hard to be selected by Google for its ultra-high speed broadband network to further enhance Pittsburgh's image as a great place to do business."

"The City is pleased that Carnegie Mellon University will offer its world class expertise in technology and innovative research to help demonstrate to Google the benefits of choosing Pittsburgh as one of its target communities," said Director Howard A. Stern, the City's chief information officer. "Carnegie Mellon's long history of leadership and innovation in computers and networking-and their implications for research, science, education, and social concerns-will be a key asset in deployment of an ultrafast network in Pittsburgh."

The success of the project also will depend on identifying additional community resources that can contribute to the Google effort and on building community support for the project

The City will also partner in this effort with UPMC, a recognized leader in advanced health care technology, and the University of Pittsburgh, a recognized institution of higher education that is continually improving its communications technology. The City, Carnegie Mellon, UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh thus welcome the collaboration with other educational institutions, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, business and labor in support of the application to Google.

Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon stated: "We are excited that Google plans to deploy ultra-high speed networks in locations around the country. These networks can serve as vibrant digital platforms for education, health, industry and government applications. As a leader in innovative broadband networking, Carnegie Mellon is pleased to partner with Mayor Ravenstahl, the City of Pittsburgh, UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh and other community institutions and businesses to bring one of these networks to our community."

Jeffrey A. Romoff, President and CEO of UPMC added: "This important effort will further advance Pittsburgh's economic transformation-one that's based on medicine, higher education and new technology. This ultra-fast network will help deliver high-quality, cost-effective, technologically advanced health care for the residents of western Pennsylvania." The University of Pittsburgh also looks forward to partnering on the proposal to Google and working on the ultra-fast network.

Ravenstahl added: "With Google growing and moving into Bakery Square, this high-tech partnership is a perfect fit for the City of Pittsburgh, and we look forward to working with them."

Google issued a Request for Information (RFI) for its fiber project to local governments on February 10, 2010. Responses to this RFI are due on or before March 26, 2010.