Gigabit Seattle will provide lightning-quick internet to these 12 neighborhoods

After Seattle mayor Mike McGinn announced an agreement Thursday with broadband developer Gigabit Squared to operate a high-speed fiber network in Seattle throughout 12 neighborhoods, most tech people in the area had a simple question: Am I in or am I out?


It’s a big deal: Internet surfers in these 12 neighborhoods will be able to use broadband that’s up to 1000 times faster than what’s available now. The “demonstration” neighborhoods are part of Gigabit’s test project in Seattle that takes advantage of the city’s unused “dark fiber” network to offer fiber-optic broadband service to the area. Service is planned for a Fall 2013 debut.

These are the 12 coverage areas, which are highlighted above: Area 1: the University of Washington’s West Campus District, Area 2: South Lake Union, Area 3: First Hill/Capitol Hill/Central Area, Area 4: the University of Washington’s Metropolitan Tract in downtown Seattle, Area 5: the University of Washington’s Family Housing at Sand Point, Area 6: Northgate, Area 7: Volunteer Park Area, Area 8: Beacon Hill and SODO Light Rail Station and Areas 9-12: Mount Baker, Columbia City, Othello, and Rainier Beach.

Gigabit is also building a broadband wireless umbrella around the city, as well as a wireless neighborhood cloud in the 12 coverage areas.

Gigabit president Mark Ansboury said he plans on having fiber lines pass to 6,000 to 10,000 homes in the 12 neighborhoods, with just 8 to 12 percent of those households using the service. By the end of 2014, Gigabit plans on offering the service to 100,000 residents.

Pricing has not been announced, but Ansboury said his company plans on offering a competitive price that’s under $100 per month.

Gigabit is asking those interested in the service to sign up here. “The more interest we get from your neighborhood, the more likely your neighborhood becomes priority one,” the page reads.

Previously on GeekWire: Mayor Mike McGinn announces plan to develop “ultra-fast broadband network”

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