Google’s plan lets ‘fiberhoods’ determine network’s direction

Google Inc.’s plans to let demand in “fiberhoods” drive where it will light up the network gives up some control to Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.
But the strategy also makes business sense for the technology giant.
By Sept. 9, Google theoretically will know where it makes the most sense to put the network. It will be able to proceed accordingly and much more quickly than if Google had opted for a more piece-meal approach, lowering Google’s overall costs, said Milo Medin, vice president of Google’s Access Services.
“People will sign up, and we can install all of them in a wave,” Medin said.
On Thursday, Google officials launched a six-week rally to determine which Kansas City neighborhoods would receive the highly anticipated network.
Google said it would build and activate the network in places that met predetermined minimum levels of interest.
Google is measuring this interest by the amount of Kansas Citians who go online, pay $10 and pre-register for one of the three Internet packages.
Based on population density and difficulty level of installing the network, Google has set different percentages — ranging from 5 to 25 percent — that neighborhoods must reach to get the service.
Google officials were silent on dollar specifics when asked about overall project costs.
In the past year, industry and community speculation has run wild over how Google would offset expenses if it offered a free Internet service locally.
Thursday’s announced Google Fiber Television product offers some answers. Google’s top-tier package for $120 comes with Internet TV and the caveat that premium channels will carry additional fees.
Google CFO Patrick Pichette said Kansas City had a tremendous opportunity to show the world what a gigabit can do.
But, he said: “There’s no doubt. We’ve done this on a for-profit basis.”

Command win Second Game In A Row, Defeat Georgia 39-27

Kansas City Command survived a back and forth battle against the Georgia Force Saturday night winning 39-27 in front of 5,079 at Sprint Center and giving the Command back-to-back victories.  Command wide receiver, Jackie Chambers had 8 receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown; and the Command defense once again kept KC in the game holding Georgia at bay scoring a single field goal in the fourth quarter.
Georgia jumped on board first with a nine-yard touchdown to C.J. Johnson with 9:51 left in first quarter and the back-and-forth battle began.  The Command responded by driving 40 yards, capped off with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Matt Gutierrez to stay even with the Force.  The Command defense stepped up with a Bradley Chavez pick-six interception to put Command on top 13-7 with 3:41 left in first quarter.  Command QB Matt Gutierrez finished the game with three touchdowns; rushing for another and was awarded the National Guard MVP of the game.
Offensive penalties by Georgia took two TD’s off the boards and KC took advantage to jump back on top 20-17 with 43 seconds left in first half with a 28 yard touchdown to Jackie Chambers.  KC defense kept pressure on Force QB Kevin Eakin all night and forced a fumble to keep Georgia from scoring again before the half.
Despite third quarter ejections of KC linebackers Bradley Chavez and Tressor Baptiste, the Command and Georgia traded touchdowns and interceptions, keeping the game close and leading the fourth quarter as the decider.
KC wide receiver Keith Eloi found the end zone for the second time during the fourth quarter to put KC up 37-27 with 5:39 left.   Diyral Briggs’ safety with 26 seconds left in the game secured the Command’s first home victory of the season.
The Command are back home at Sprint Center next Saturday, June 2 against the Utah Blaze at 7pm featuring the Mascot game at halftime.

The Command Look To Start Winning Streak, Host Georgia On Saturday

The Kansas City Command return home from a two-game road trip to take on the Georgia Force Saturday, May 26 at 7pm at Sprint Center. The Command (1-8) are coming off their first win of the season after defeating the Pittsburgh Power 43-37 Saturday night at Consol Energy Center in front of 5,062 fans. Georgia (6-4) is coming off a thrilling 58-55 win over the Milwaukee Mustangs Saturday night.
Offense and defense contributed to the Kansas City Command notching their victory over Pittsburgh. Command QB Matt Gutierrez threw for 262 yards and 4TD’s, he also rushed for another. KC ’s Defense continued their dominant play holding Pittsburgh (2-8) to their lowest point total of the season.
Despite 14 penalties against the Command, the defense continued to keep KC in contention with DB J.C. Neal forcing his third fumble of the season, and DL’s Chris Lyle and Tommy Chavis each having fumble recoveries to keep Pittsburgh from pulling away.
Kansas City spread the ball around earning scores from four different receivers including former Power WR/QB Xavier Lee who rushed for a touchdown, and Olathe, KS native Anthony Parks earned his first career touchdown (27 yards). The Command offensive scored on 4 of 5 drives in the first half, their best offensive effort of the season.
Kansas City’s biggest lead of the season came with just 1:22 left in the fourth quarter when Command QB Matt Gutierrez connected with WR Armand Robinson for a 20-yard touchdown, putting KC up 43-34 and bringing Robinson’s touchdown total to seven in just three games.
Georgia is leading the American South Division and have won three in a row. The Force are coming off a narrow victory against Milwaukee in a Week 11 contest held at the Bradley Center. Georgia proved how resilient they are by overcoming deficits of 28-7 and 48-27. The victory was not secured until kicker Carlos Martinez nailed a 38 yard field-goal with 7 seconds left in the game.
The Force have never lost to Kansas City having won all three previous meetings with the (then) Kansas City Brigade.
The game will be broadcast on SportsRadio 810 WHB AM, Ustream.tv/kansascitycommand and
KSMO-TV 62.

The Command Get First Victory, Defeat Pittsburgh 43-37

Offense and defense contributed to the Kansas City Command notching their first victory of the season over the Pittsburgh Power (43-37) Saturday night at Consol Energy Center in front of 5,062 fans.  Command QB Matt Gutierrez threw for 262 yards 4TD’s, and rushed for another, while KC’s Defense continued their dominant play holding Pittsburgh (2-8) to their lowest point total of the season.
“It feels great to finally get one,” said Command coach Danton Barto.  It was ugly all the way to the end but we got the win we needed.  It shows you a lot about the character of this team because 0-8 teams don’t find ways to win.”
Despite 14 penalties against the Command (1-8), the defense continued to keep KC in contention with DB J.C. Neal forcing his third fumble of the season, and DL’s Chris Lyle and Tommy Chavis each having fumble recoveries to keep Pittsburgh from pulling away.
“I’ve been saying all year our defense is pretty damn good,” said coach Barto.  “On offense, we find ways to make mistakes but we rallied around each other and found a way.  Our defense stepped up like it always does and we put it on them to win it for us.”
Backup QB, Derek Cassidy came in for the Power and threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to P.J. Berry on his first play of the game with 8:34 left in the second quarter. He also scored a rushing TD after a KC turned the ball over to start the second half.  Cassidy finished with three TD’s, bringing his total to 14 touchdowns for the season.
Kansas City spread the ball around earning scores from four different receivers including former Power WR/QB Xavier Lee who rushed for a touchdown, and Olathe, KS native Anthony Parks earned his first career touchdown (27 yards).  The Command offensive scored 4-5 drives in the first half, their best offensive effort of the season.
KC’s third quarter scoring woes continued as Pittsburgh’s defense stopped the Command on back-to-back drives to start the second half while continuing to put the ball in the end zone and going up 34-27 with 4:07 in third quarter.   The Command scored their only third quarter offensive points at 1:21 to stay even with the Power at 34-34.
Kansas City’s biggest lead of the season came with just 1:22 left in the fourth quarter when Command QB Matt Gutierrez connected with WR Armand Robinson for a 20-yard touchdown, putting KC up 43-34 and bringing Robinson’s touchdown total to seven in just three games.
“It’s just one game so we have to enjoy it for a few hours and then get back in the film room and get back to work to see where we can improve and get ready for next week,”  said coach Barto.
The Command are back home hosting the Georgia Force at 7pm Saturday May 26 at Sprint Center.