Editorial: Help Morgantown get Google high speed

There are nine days left for Morgantown to submit its application for Google's experimental high-speed network, and the city needs your help.

Morgantown's campaign for the search company's trial of a 1 gigabit per second Internet connection is known as "We Want A Gig."

The city's effort centers around community officials and local business owners explaining why the company should set up shop here and give Morgantown faster connections.

But there's one real missing factor in the campaign so far, at least on its Web site and Facebook groups – active and vocal community support.

The official Web site, located at http://sites.google.com/site/wewantagig/what-can-you-do, has examples of how you can help:

1. Nominate Morgantown through Google's official Web site.

Google requires cities be nominated through its Fiber Web site. It will ask several questions about why you think the city should be included in the trial.

It does require a Google account, however.

2. Get involved.

Many of the videos provided so far are by community professionals, which are great and carry some weight.

But it's the average Internet user – those reading this editorial online while attempting to download a high-definition movie on their DSL service – that the city needs.

The Web site recommends creating a small video explaining how Morgantown would use faster Internet.

3. Join the Conversation

Get involved with other "Gi g" fans and join the discussion. Brainstorm ideas together. Keep up with the latest news by becoming a fan of the group's official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GoogMgtn) and Follow the group on Twitter (@WeWantAGig).

4. Spread The Word.

Morgantown isn't resorting to tactics like renaming itself "Google" like a town in Kansas. Our mayor, thankfully, isn't promising to name each first born in honor of the company, as some Web sites have reported throughout the country.

But the campaign needs your help. We're asking you, the West Virginia University community, to help the cause.

Think about being able to download a high definition movie in minutes, or catching up on an accounting lesson with Tegrity streaming into your apartment without buffering.

The effort began with a WVU student and employee. Every student who uses the Internet should contribute and help the city's effort.

Competition breeds innovation. When it comes to Internet, Morgantown is strangled by limited broadband options that stretch even the best of budgets.