Google is considering bringing its fiber network to Dallas, which could make it the third city in Texas to have access to its high-speed service.
The news came from a blog post the technology company published Tuesday, when it said exploration would begin. The company already has launched Google Fiber in Austin and San Antonio.
“It’s still the early days,” the post said, “but we’ll keep residents updated as we approach our decision.”
Dallas is already one of the best cities to work in tech, the post stated citing a 2015 SmartAsset study, which ranked Dallas No. 4 in the top 10. Fiber services will help the city attract even more tech talent, the post continued.
Fiber allows for 1 gigabit speeds, meaning that users would be able to download 25 songs in one second, a TV show in 3 seconds, and an HD movie in 36 seconds, according to the FTC.
To begin exploration, Google will run down a checklist of items to see if Dallas is ready for implementation. The checklist aims to determine whether the city has materials required to design and construct the network, access to existing infrastructure, and compatible permitting and construction processes. The company said it plans to work alongside Mayor Mike Rawlings and local leaders to learn more about the factors that could affect implementation.
The announcement comes at a time when the city of Dallas is also trying to become a smart city. The Dallas Innovation Alliance, a public-private partnership led by Jennifer Sanders, is championing the task of connecting the city, with help from entrepreneurs, corporations, organizations, and city entities.
Google announced plans for Austin’s fiber network in April 2013 and has rolled out across multiple neighborhoods there. It’s still in the process of deploying across the entire city. Meanwhile in San Antonio, the company has rolled out more than 4,000 miles of fiber.
