Google Fiber Stories June 15
Over the past few years, Google Fiber has been replacing legacy aspects of its service and streamlining. The latest allows Fiber TV customers that own a dedicated box to upgrade to a Chromecast with Google TV.
Google Fiber Stories May 12
Over the past few months, Alphabet’s Google-branded ISP has been rolling out 2 Gigabit Internet in existing cities. Google Fiber now has a new logo for Fiber and Fiber Webpass after previously just using a wordmark.
Google Fiber Stories April 29
The last year has seen many more people turn to the internet for work, learning, shopping, socializing, and entertainment. Google Fiber reports that its networks nationwide saw an approximately 32% increase in demand.
Google Fiber Stories April 7
In September, Google Fiber announced a ‘2 Gig’ tier, and it’s now widely available in the first cities. As part of this, a Wi-Fi 6 Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router is provided to customers.
Google Fiber Stories September 24, 2020
Google Fiber customers today can get up to two Google Wifi routers for free as part of their subscription. The Alphabet ISP is now letting customers bring their own router as part of the set-up process.
Google Fiber Stories September 14, 2020
In recent years, Alphabet’s Access division has dropped Fiber’s 100 Mbps plan and traditional TV to streamline offerings for new customers. Google Fiber announced today that it will start testing 2 gigabit plans next month.
Google Fiber Stories August 28, 2020
Google Fiber now recommends Philo for lower-cost TV streaming
Earlier this year Google Fiber dropped its TV offering and decided to instead offer streaming services to its customers. Now, Google Fiber is partnering with the affordable Philo TV as its third option.
Google Fiber Stories July 6, 2020
A decade ago, Google set out to disrupt traditional ISPs by building and operating its own fiber network. That grand vision did not pan out, but Google Fiber today announced its first new city in four years with West Des Moines.
Google Fiber Stories February 21, 2020
Google ‘Fiber Webpass’ is a rebrand of the wireless gigabit internet service
Google’s efforts in internet service have seen some of the first gigabit speeds provided courtesy of Google Fiber. Now, Webpass — the company’s other internet provider — is getting rebranded as “Google Fiber Webpass.”
Google Fiber Stories February 4, 2020
Last year, Google Fiber announced that it’s no longer offering 100Mbps plans. This refocus on just gigabit internet is now seeing the ISP drop traditional Google Fiber TV service for new customer sign-ups.
Google Fiber Stories December 4, 2019
Google Fiber still exists today in 18 cities and continues to sign-up new customers. The ISP is now simplifying its service by no longer offering a 100 Mbps plan and committing entirely to gigabit Google Fiber speeds.
Google Fiber Stories August 6, 2019
Google Fiber purchased Webpass in 2016 given the latter ISP’s track record with point-to-point wireless and fast rollout. Since then, both companies have operated independently and in different cities. The two sister companies are now combining efforts with “Google Fiber Webpass” in Austin.
Google Fiber Stories April 16, 2019
As Google Fiber is set to pull out of Louisville due to “fundamental network issues”, the cost to Alphabet is set to be somewhere around $4 million.
Google Fiber Stories February 7, 2019
Google Fiber’s last network expansion occurred in 2017 to Huntsville, San Antonio, and Louisville. Alphabet’s Access division is now pulling out of the latter Kentucky city due to the massive undertaking required to solve a fundamental network issue that is not the “right business decision” for Google Fiber.
Google Fiber Stories January 28, 2019
Kansas City snowstorm takes down Google Fiber, some customers without internet for over two weeks
Google Fiber is a huge reason for the slow spread of gigabit speeds throughout the United States. However, a recent outage caused by a snowstorm caused Google Fiber internet service to be lacking for over two weeks for some customers.
Google Fiber Stories July 13, 2018
Google Fiber set out to disrupt the ISP industry eight years ago, but has since scaled down its ambitions. Among other factors, physically deploying fiber served as a big obstacle to Google’s plans. The FCC is now set to approve a system that could increase high-speed broadband deployment across the United States.
Google Fiber Stories February 6, 2018
In a very brief blog post, Alphabet announced that it has hired a new CEO to lead its telecommunications division, Access. Dinesh Jain was previously Chief Operating Officer at Time Warner Cable for over two years and now leads Google Fiber, among other efforts.
Google Fiber Stories January 30, 2018
A few months before Google Fiber paused deployment at the end of 2016, it purchased point to point gigabit internet provider Webpass. Today, it surfaced that the acquisition is planning to pull out of its Boston market.
Google Fiber Stories November 14, 2017
Last month, Google Fiber revealed that upcoming gigabit launches in Louisville and San Antonio would not offer a television service, instead suggesting YouTube TV. With Fiber launching in the Texas city today, Google announced a number of other changes, like only offering one plan and a promotional Nvidia Shield TV.
Google Fiber Stories October 25, 2017
Google Fiber has been live in Nashville, Tennessee for a few years now, but today is seeing a much wider rollout to multiple neighborhoods. Additionally, the ISP is launching what it calls a “Community Bonus” referral program to collectively lower monthly bills.
Google Fiber Stories October 5, 2017
Late last year, Google Fiber halted future deployment and in July lost its latest CEO after only five months. Despite this, the Alphabet division committed itself to continue service in existing areas and is still rolling out to cities that it previously announced. However, for two upcoming launches, Google Fiber will not offer a television service.
Google Fiber Stories July 17, 2017
Google Fiber has lost its latest Chief Executive Officer after only a five month tenure. Hired in February, Gregory McCray was previously head of another telecommunications company before joining the Alphabet division.
Google Fiber Stories May 23, 2017
Google Fiber launches in Huntsville, Alabama by leasing new municipal fiber network
First announced over a year ago, Google Fiber is now live in Huntsville, Alabama. Alphabet’s internet connectivity division was able to launch its service relatively quickly by taking advantage of the city’s new fiber network.
Google Fiber Stories April 6, 2017
Following the pause in deployment to new cities and other smaller mishaps in recent months, Alphabet has reassigned two Access executives (via Bloomberg). These personnel moves of these executives are especially notable given their stature and experience in telecommunication.
Google Fiber Stories March 21, 2017
Google Fiber reneges on installation for parts of Kansas City, rollout still underway in other areas
Google Fiber is facing more setbacks as it canceled installation in Kansas City. The gigabit internet service is offering refunds to hundreds of customers who put down deposits in Fiber’s first market, with the Alphabet division reportedly being more careful in regards to rollout.
Google Fiber Stories February 15, 2017
Alphabet has hired Gregory McCray to lead its Access unit, Bloomberg reports. Access, which is the subsidiary below Alphabet that works on various internet communication technology, also includes the Mountain View company’s struggling Google Fiber unit.
Google Fiber Stories February 1, 2017
Toward the end of last year it was said that Google was putting expansion of its super-fast Fiber internet service on pause, but today it seems the expansion of the gigabit internet service has resumed. Following its launch in Charlotte almost exactly a year ago, Fiber is further expanding in North Carolina to Raleigh…
Google Fiber Stories January 30, 2017
Google Fiber map now also shows six cities where Webpass is available
Google acquired Webpass — another longtime provider of gigabit internet — last year, and now Google has added six cities where you can get super-fast internet through the service to its Google Fiber map. You’ll now see the option to get Webpass for Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Diego…
Google Fiber Stories November 15, 2016
Google Fiber TV app for Android & iOS updated w/ faster DVR recording and recommendations
While future Fiber deployment may be paused, Google has reiterated that it’s continuing service in existing cities. As a sign of that commitment, the Fiber TV app on Android and iOS is being updated with several new proactive feature.
Google Fiber Stories October 25, 2016
Google Fiber has hit a major roadblock this afternoon with Access CEO Craig Barratt leaving his position and operations in “potential Fiber cities” being paused. The Alphabet division is currently refining its approach to making superfast Internet available in the US.
Google Fiber Stories August 26, 2016
A report in The Information cited by Gizmodo says that Google Fiber take-up has fallen well short of the company’s expectations, and that the company is slashing its workforce in response and seeking to dramatically cut costs.
Fiber executives had ambitious hopes of signing up around 5 million subscribers in five years, said a person close to Google’s parent, Alphabet. But by the end of 2014, more than two years after service began, Google had only signed up around 200,000 broadband subscribers, said a former employee. The current number isn’t known, but it’s still well short of initial expectations, said another person close to Alphabet […]
Last month, Alphabet CEO Larry Page ordered Google Fiber’s chief, Craig Barratt, to halve the size of the Google Fiber team to 500 people, said the second person close to Alphabet …
Google Fiber Stories August 11, 2016
We learned back in April that Google was planning to experiment with wireless Fiber service to extend the reach of its high-speed broadband service beyond cities, but the company wouldn’t be drawn on where it had in mind. An FCC filing spotted by Business Insider now appears to provide the answer.
A table in the filing reveals 24 locations spanning 17 states where Google is seeking permission to conduct tests, which are a mix of Fiber and non-Fiber locations …
Google Fiber Stories July 12, 2016
Google Fiber sign-ups are now open in Charlotte, North Carolina. Specifically, both residents and businesses in the Highland Creek neighborhood will be able to join one of three plans. The Charlotte expansion was announced at the beginning of last year along with Atlanta, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham.
Google Fiber Stories June 1, 2016
Upcoming update will turn the Google Fiber TV Box into a Chromecast
Those lucky enough to live in a city with Google Fiber will soon receive an update that essentially turns their current TV Box into a Chromecast. As the TV Box is already hooked up to a television, users will be able to stream music, video, and apps without making changes to their current setup.
Google Fiber Stories May 17, 2016
Google I/O officially kicks off tomorrow, but this evening AT&T has taken some wind out of the company’s sails. AT&T has announced that it is brining its Google Fiber competitor to the Bay Area in California. The company says that its GigaPower service is now available in “parts of” San Francisco, San Jose, Dublin, Mountain View, Santa Clara and San Ramon.
Google Fiber Stories April 14, 2016
We heard earlier this month that Google was planning to offer Fiber customers the option of a wireless service within its existing coverage areas, but a Re/code interview suggests that the company also sees wireless as a way to extend its reach beyond cities.
In an interview with Re/code, Access CEO Craig Barratt, who oversees Fiber, said the company is working on connecting wireless towers to existing fiber lines, and that it is “experimenting with a number of different wireless technologies” to make that happen.
Barratt said that adding wireless into the mix was a way to extend Google’s high-speed broadband service to areas where laying down optical fiber wouldn’t be economic …
Google Fiber Stories April 9, 2016
Google Fiber drops its free basic tier in Kansas City, replaces with $50/m 100Mbps plan
When Google Fiber first launched in Kansas City, it did so with the promise of free internet, as long as customers paid for their installation. While subscribers could opt to pay $25 per month for 12 months to cover the $300 installation fee, internet usage was completely free. There was one caveat however: Download speeds were limited to just 5Mbps. Now, Google has replaced this Basic Tier with a 100Mbps plan and rebranded its two other tiers.
Google Fiber Stories March 29, 2016
Earlier this year, Google began inviting certain Fiber customers to test out a home phone service. Today, the Mountain View company is officially adding a Fiber Phone service to the internet and cable TV services they already provide thus becoming a triple play provider…
Google Fiber Stories March 12, 2016
We told you a couple of days ago that Google was building a crane game for SXSW attendees, and last night we finally had a chance to try it out for ourselves. Appropriately dubbed “I’m Feeling Lucky,” the huge crane game offers some free swag from the variety of products the Mountain View company offers via its online retail presence (with no SXSW badge required!)…
Google Fiber Stories February 26, 2016
ArsTechnica reports that AT&T is going to court to prevent Google Fiber getting immediate access to its utility poles in Louisville, potentially delaying Google’s plans to launch its high-speed broadband service in the city.
AT&T’s lawsuit in US District Court in Louisville says the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government’s ordinance is invalid because it conflicts with and is preempted by the Federal Communications Commission’s pole attachment regulations. AT&T also argues that under Kentucky law, only the state Public Service Commission has jurisdiction to regulate pole attachments.
AT&T is planning its own fiber service in the city, but insists that the case has nothing to do with Google …
Google Fiber Stories February 24, 2016
Google Fiber is coming to certain apartments and condos in San Francisco
Google is on a role with their Fiber deployment. This Monday, they announced Fiber service is coming to Huntsville, Alabama. Today, they’ve announced that Fiber will be coming to certain properties in San Francisco.
Google Fiber Stories February 22, 2016
Google Fiber, part of Alphabet’s Access unit, is up and running in four cities and work is underway in another six. Fiber’s expansion into Huntsville, Alabama will be slightly different in that Google will be using the fiber network that the city is already building.
Google Fiber Stories February 3, 2016
Google will provide free gigabit internet to everyone in public housing where Fiber is deployed
As part of giving back to the community, Google is providing free gigabit internet service to residents in all public housing where Fiber is deployed. This is a change from an announcement last year where only some in public housing would get free Fiber.
Google Fiber Stories January 29, 2016
The Washington Post has gotten its hands on an invitation that reveals that Google is experimenting with adding a phone service to Google Fiber. Currently, Fiber only has internet and cable, but the addition of a Google Voice-like phone service would bring it in line with packages from other providers.
Google Fiber Stories December 8, 2015
Google exploring bringing Fiber to Los Angeles and Chicago, potentially largest cities yet
Google, or rather Alphabet’s Fiber division, is investigating bringing their service to Los Angeles and Chicago. The two cities are significant in that they’d be the largest areas Fiber has worked with. This is hot off the news that AT&T will be expanding gigabit internet to 38 metropolitan areas by the end of next year.
Population-wise, Los Angeles and Chicago are the second and third largest cities in the US, with Google noting a combined population of over six million people. Google notes how Fiber could positively benefit the two cities’ startup scenes.
Currently, the process is still at an investigative state and there is no guarantee Google will bring Fiber to the two cities. The company is going through their checklist process and will be in discussion with city leaders. According to their checklist document, cities have six weeks to meet Fiber’s requirements. Afterwards, Google deliberates and reviews for an unspecified amount of time.
Including these two cities, there are 11 other cities being investigated for Google Fiber deployment. The service is currently up and running in three cities, with upcoming installs in another six. For comparison, AT&T’s gigabit internet service is already up and running in parts of Los Angeles and a total of 18 other areas.
Per an earlier report, Google Fiber is being spun off from Google as part of the Alphabet re-org. The Access and Energy division also includes the OnHub router, Project Link, Project Sunroof, and Project Titan.
Google Fiber Stories November 30, 2015
Craig Barrat was previously Google’s SVP of “access and energy,” but now he leads an Alphabet unit as CEO. That unit is called Access and Energy, and includes Google’s Fiber division as well as several other access and energy-related products (as Google’s Ruth Porat noted in its Q3 2015 earnings call). Now, thanks to an extensive profile of Access today out of Re/code, we have a little bit more of an idea of exactly which projects fall under this group… expand full story
Google Fiber Stories October 28, 2015
Google names Oklahoma City, Jacksonville and Tampa as potential Fiber cities
Google Fiber is slowly but surely gaining momentum, and the Mountain View company just last month announced that it began exploring Irvine, Louisville, and San Diego as potential cities for the service. Today, it looks like there are three more cities being added to the “maybe one day” list (which is definitely an upgrade from the “who knows” list most cities are still on): Oklahoma City, Oklahom, Jacksonville, Florida, and Tampa, Florida.
Google says these “growing tech hubs” have a “strong entrepreneurial spirit”:
That’s why today, we’re inviting Oklahoma City, OK, Jacksonville, FL and Tampa, FL, to explore bringing Google Fiber to their communities, as we did last month with three other cities. These growing tech-hubs have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to small business growth. Their list of accolades is long—from Jacksonville’s title as a top 10 city for tech jobs, to Tampa Bay’s #2 spot on the list of best cities for young entrepreneurs, to Oklahoma City’s recognition as the #1 city to launch a business. One of our goals is to make sure speed isn’t an accidental ceiling for how people and businesses use the Web, and these cities are the perfect places to show what’s possible with gigabit Internet.
There are currently 3 Fiber cities, and 6 that are definitely on the way. This announcement leaves us with 9 cities that Google has designated as potentials, with the other 6 being Portland, San Jose, Irving, San Diego, Louisville, and Phoenix. Now, Google is going to start the “joint planning process” in collaboration with the three new cities’ local leaders to study their respective communities. Now it’s just a waiting game for those lucky enough to reside in these cities.
