Developers: Ultrahigh-speed Internet isn’t just a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity

Ultrahigh-speed Internet such as Google Fiber still seems a bit fantastical to many people, but developers and real estate professionals say they can’t afford not to integrate the fastest speeds into new buildings any more than they could neglect to install plumbing. Google Fiber is preparing to roll out its gigabit-speed Internet service locally – an executive said the company hopes to “light up” its first houses in Charlotte in 2015 -- and competitors such as Time Warner Cable are boosting their speeds as well. “Reliable, fast Internet is a hot topic in the real estate community,” said Deputy City Manager Ron Kimble, at a forum in South End sponsored by the Urban Land Institute.