Congressman Cleaver Applauds Google’s New Steps to Expand Web Access in Kansas City

This month, Google officially announced a much-needed re-opening of its sign-up and outreach process. This change will allow anyone living within an existing Fiberhood to sign up for the service. The new changes include the "basic internet" option, which is a free five Mbps internet service after a $300 construction fee.

"In an effort to make internet access more accessible to the digitally divided, last month I asked Google to reopen the Fiber sign-up and outreach process, especially in underserved areas," stated Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II. "Over the last few years, our community has seen a drastic transformation in internet affordability and speed. But with as many as twenty-five percent of our residents lacking internet access at home, it is clear that we need to do more to ensure that these benefits are enjoyed by all. I welcome these latest changes. With each positive step we take, we move forward toward accessible and affordable internet access for all. Although our community has made great strides in internet access and affordability over the past several years, it is clear that more work remains to be done. I look forward to working with Google and other long serving providers in the community to ensure we truly close the digital divide in Kansas City."

"While we've had an enthusiastic response from customers in all of our Fiberhoods, we've also heard that many residents want another chance to sign up. And we'd like to bring Google Fiber to as many of these residents as possible. By reopening signups, we're giving them another shot to sign up for any of our three product offerings," said Kelly Carnago, City Manager, Google Fiber Kansas City. "We appreciate Rep. Cleaver's engagement on helping to promote digital inclusion on behalf of the people of Kansas City. Working together, and joining forces with other stakeholders, we can have an even greater impact."

On March 30, 2011, after a competitive selection process, both Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas were selected as launch sites for the Fiber project. By September 2012, the results of the pre-registration process were clear. Nearly all the neighborhoods that failed to qualify for the service were located east of Troost Avenue, the city's historical socioeconomic dividing line. According to the Wall Street Journal, just ten percent of low-income neighborhoods subscribed to 1 gigabit Google Fiber and five percent to the 5 megabit service. In comparison, forty-two percent of residents in middle and higher income neighborhoods took advantage of the 1 gigabit service, while eleven percent use the slower option.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.