Google Fiber

109 'Google Fiber' stories August 2011 - March 2015

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Google Fiber

Google testing new Fiber TV ad-targeting method based on viewing history

Chance Miller Mar 21 2015 - 9:51 am PT

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Google has revealed that it is rolling out a new ad delivery process to its Fiber TV service in Kansas City. The company says the new ad-targeting process is similar to what it already does on mobile devices. Normally, television ads are sold based on entire markets, not the individual user. With this new ad-targeting method, however, local Kansas City advertisers will be able to target specific users with their advertisements.

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Google Fiber

Google Fiber’s TV service likely won’t be posing a challenge to cable providers any time soon

Mike Beasley Mar 12 2015 - 8:29 pm PT

While Google’s fiber internet service is no doubt popular in the markets where it’s available, but the accompanying TV offering isn’t gaining nearly as much momentum. A report from Multichannel indicates that Google has only reached 29,867 video subscriptions, and 20,000 of those are from Kansas City, Missouri alone.

Google’s highest market penetration has been in Kansas City, Kansas, where 7,026 subscribers give it 13% of the market. In Missouri, those 20,140 subscribers make up only 10% of the market. The company has claimed 8% of the market in Provo, Utah, and just 5% in its Stanford market.

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AT&T launching GigaPower in Kansas City, exactly matching Google Fiber speed and price

Stephen Hall Feb 16 2015 - 12:55 pm PT

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Google Fiber has been instigating the growth of fiber Internet in the United States for a few years, and now AT&T is feeling the heat more than ever. Announced at midnight last night, AT&T said it’s finally ready to start selling fiber Internet services in Kansas City and its surrounding areas (via The Kansas City Star). The company finished the rollout of 1Gbps “GigaPower” service in Austin late last year, and now it seems it’s finally time for AT&T to live up to its promise to bring the service to other cities around the country…

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Google officially announces Google Fiber coming to Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham

Stephen Hall Jan 27 2015 - 10:14 am PT

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We told you yesterday that Google was planning to bring Google Fiber to a handful of new cities, and today the Mountain View company has officially announced the expansion of its gigabit broadband service to Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

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Google opens Fiber signups in Austin, Texas

Chance Miller Dec 1 2014 - 12:35 pm PT

Screen Shot 2014-12-01 at 3.27.53 PM After revealing pricing last week, Google has today opened signups for Fiber in Austin, Texas. Google is starting its Austin rollout by opening signups in the southern and southeastern sections of the city. The company will expand the rollout to other portions of Austin “on an ongoing basis.” Both residents and small businesses in the pre-determined Fiberhoods can signup for the service today.

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Google reveals pricing for Fiber in Austin, sign-ups to begin next month

Chance Miller Nov 26 2014 - 5:32 pm PT

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Google today has finally revealed its pricing plans for Fiber in Austin, Texas. The company plans to open up sign-ups for the internet service next month in the city, and while it was previously believed that Fiber in Austin would cost the same as it does in Kansas City and Provo, the company announced today that there are some slight variations (via Multichannel).

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Google Fiber hookup gives Kansas City Starbucks WiFi 100x faster than normal – and community Chromebooks

Ben Lovejoy Nov 4 2014 - 6:29 am PT

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Google promised back in July that its deal to provide free WiFi at 7,000 U.S. Starbucks locations would include connections up to 100x faster than usual in cities with Google Fiber – and it has now started to deliver on that. The company announced in its Google Fiber blog that a Kansas City branch is now home to the fastest Starbucks WiFi in the U.S.

At the corner of 41st and Main Street, a Kansas City Starbucks is teeming with people writing emails, streaming music, sharing videos, and more. Now that same Starbucks—one of the busiest in Kansas City—is the first to be connected directly to Google Fiber, so anyone visiting the store can get super-fast Internet with their Pumpkin Spice Latte.

The technofest doesn’t end there, either …
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Google Fiber launching in Austin this December, 3 months behind schedule

Stephen Hall Oct 16 2014 - 9:28 am PT

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Google Fiber is about ready to launch in its third city, according to The Wall Street Journal. The service is apparently about 3 months behind original schedule, and sign ups will be launched this December focusing on the south and southeastern parts of the city. The company’s original announcement touted “mid-2014” for launch, but it looks like laying groundwork for a fiber internet service isn’t exactly an easy task.

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Expensive TV programming could be stifling Google Fiber’s expansion

Mark Hearn Oct 6 2014 - 10:18 am PT

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Despite its blazing fast data speeds, Google Fiber is off to a slow start. The web search king’s home internet and television services are only available in a few markets and while it may be expensive to organize a community install, a lack of infrastructure doesn’t appear to be holding Google Fiber back. It turns out that the need for television programming could be delaying Mountain View’s ISP efforts, as Google is dishing out large sums of cash in hopes of competing with established cable companies.

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Qualcomm exec named new head of Google Fiber

Zac Hall Sep 17 2014 - 7:47 am PT

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google’s ultrafast Internet service Fiber has a new leader running the show, and not just any new leader. Dennis Kish, a former executive at semiconductor company Qualcomm, is replacing Milo Medin to head Google Fiber going forward. The Journal reports that Medlin will remain “an adviser to the Google Fiber team,” but the Google vice president will begin work on other unspecified projects.

Kish was brought in for his operational expertise and will lead Google Fiber as the high-speed Internet and television service expands to new cities.

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Google shows off winning image-recognition system, likely to assist in autonomous car efforts

Ben Lovejoy Sep 8 2014 - 4:17 am PT

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Google has shown off its winning entry in an annual computer vision challenge whose entrants include both academic institutions and industry labs, and made its work available to other researchers.

In this year’s challenge, team GoogLeNet tasks, doubling the quality on both tasks over last year’s results. The team participated with an open submission, meaning that the exact details of its approach are shared with the wider computer vision community to foster collaboration and accelerate progress in the field …

Google cites its self-driving cars as one of the obvious applications of the technology.
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Comcast, Time Warner increasing customer speeds in Kansas City to better compete with Google Fiber

Chance Miller Aug 4 2014 - 8:16 pm PT

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As first reported by the Kansas City Star, several cable companies have started bumping up their internet speeds for customers, free of charge, in order to better compete with Google Fiber in Kansas City. Both Comcast and Time Warner announced changes for their internet packages.

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New Google Fiber TV box passes through the FCC

Mark Hearn Jun 18 2014 - 7:56 am PT

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Google’s Fiber internet and TV services are scarce to say the least, but that doesn’t mean the company isn’t working on making improvements to its platform before expanding it to bigger markets. The folks at Zatz Not Funny have uncovered a recent FCC filing for what appears to be a second-generation Fiber TV set-top box. While the listing is light on details, it does reveal that model number GFHD200 is loaded with connectivity options, including 802.11 ac/n WiFi, 10/100 Ethernet, MoCA, Bluetooth and HDMI 1.4.

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Portland moves closer to Google Fiber as City Council approves franchise agreement

Zac Hall Jun 11 2014 - 12:31 pm PT

Earlier this year we told you that a number of additional cities were on the map for Google Fiber’s super high-speed Internet service including Portland, Oregon. Today, Portland’s City Council voted unanimously in approval of bringing Google’s gigabit Internet service to the area, The Oregonian reports. While the Portland commissioners did deliver approval for Google Fiber’s terms of the deal, the report notes that Google will “decide by the end of the year” if it will deliver on servicing Portland…
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Job listing hints at Google Fiber plans for New York City

Jordan Kahn Apr 15 2014 - 11:44 am PT

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Google recently announced plans to expand its Google Fiber Gigabit internet and TV service beyond Kansas City & Austin to 34 more cities and it looks like it also has plans for New York City. Geek.com points us to a job listing looking for a regional sales manager based in New York that would “manage multiple teams that evangelize Google Fiber services to MDU (multi-dwelling apartments and condos) and large SMB owners.”

You will hire and manage a team that proactively reaches out and and articulates how Google Fiber Solutions can help make their work more productive. You will excel at team development, sales training and market strategy, while cultivating a strong base of new clients and working with fellow technical Googlers to devise solutions to meet customer needs.

Google has slowly been rolling out its Gigabit Google Fiber service starting with Kansas City and Austin since first unveiling Fiber back in 2012. In February, it announced plans for its biggest rollout yet including upcoming launches scheduled for Raleigh Durham, NC, Atlanta, San Jose, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Portland, and many surrounding areas. New York would be a big one to add to the list, but Google has yet to confirm any official plans.

Google opens Fiber sign-ups to former iProvo network, plans to complete Provo rollout by end of year

Chance Miller Jan 22 2014 - 4:40 pm PT

Early last year, Google announced its intentions to make Provo, Utah its third Fiber city. In October, the company opened up sign-ups for a few customers along the local Veracity Networks provider, but told everyone else they would have to wait. Today, Google has announced that customers that live along the former iProvo can start signing up for Google Fiber.

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Google Fiber users can now access WatchESPN on Android, iOS, Xbox, & Apple TV, live Disney content online

Jordan Kahn Oct 16 2013 - 10:10 am PT

Watch-ESPN-Apple-TV-apps Google announced today on its Google Fiber blog that Fiber customers will now be able to access content through the WatchESPN and Watch Disney apps at no additional cost. For ESPN, that means users can now login into the apps on Android, iOS, Apple TV, and Xbox 360 using their Google Fiber account:

WatchESPN provides live access to eight networks, including live events and all of ESPN’s sports and studio shows (including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater). You can watch at no additional cost by logging in with your Google Fiber account — visit WatchESPN.com or download the WatchESPN app from Google Play or the App Store on your Xbox 360, or on Apple TV.

The Disney content, including live and on-demand content from Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD, is available by logging into WatchDisneyChannels.com online:

You can watch at no additional cost by logging in with your Google Fiber account — visit WatchESPN.com or download the WatchESPN app from Google Play or the App Store on your Xbox 360, or on Apple TV… WATCH Disney gives you live access to Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD networks. Just go to WatchDisneyChannels.com and log in using your Google Fiber username and password.

Google’s Gigabit internet and TV service has only rolled out in Kansas City, Provo, UT, and surrounding areas since launching last year, but Google earlier this year announced it will be rolling out the service in Austin, Texas by mid-2014.

Google explains Fiber in Provo roll-out plans, adds tv shows & movies from VUDU

Scott Buscemi Aug 15 2013 - 1:55 pm PT

Now that Google and the City of Provo have an agreement in place, the fiber provider has outlined their plan for roll-out on the Google Fiber blog.

We also have new information for you on how much Google Fiber will cost in Provo. When we start sign-ups, all customers will be able to choose from one of three plans:

Free Internet. Get today’s basic broadband speeds (up to 5 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload) for free for at least the next seven years.

Gigabit Internet. Connect to the web at speeds up to 100 times faster than basic broadband (up to 1 Gbps download and upload) for $70/month.

Gigabit Internet + TV. Get 100 times faster Internet plus hundreds of HD channels. Record up to 8 shows at once and store up to 500 hours of HD content on your Storage Box for $120/month.

Each of these plans will require a one-time $30 construction fee which you’ll pay when you choose your plan (for single family homes) or your landlord will pay after they sign an agreement with us to wire up your apartment/condo.

For current Veracity customers in single-family homes — we want you to know that nothing changes for you yet. You can continue to use your service as you do today. Later this year, you’ll have the option of becoming a Google Fiber customer and the option to sign up for any of the services listed above.

The original announcement for Provo’s fiber future was made only four short months ago in April, and now residents will have the blazing fast internet and TV service in just a few short months. Locals can sign up for information on their web form.

VUDU

Also, Google has announced a new on-demand video service available to subscribers – VUDU.

Yesterday, we launched VUDU right on our Fiber TV Box. VUDU is an on-demand video service that subscribers can use to rent or purchase movies and TV shows — and combined with Netflix and our Google Fiber Video on Demand Library, Google Fiber customers now have access to one of the largest on-demand collections of movies and TV Shows. You can access all of this great content under the “More” tab on our TV menu.

Agreement completed with City of Provo to bring Google Fiber ‘later this year’

Scott Buscemi Jul 23 2013 - 9:32 am PT

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This morning, Provo residents received an email from the Google Fiber team letting them know that they have finalized an agreement with the City of Provo to bring Google Fiber’s TV and Internet services to the city. Fiber roll-outs are moving faster than ever, as Google hopes to start connecting city residents later this year.

Hello, Provo!
Goodbye loading bars.

We are excited to announce that Google Fiber is officially coming to Provo! Yesterday, we officially completed our agreement with the City of Provo, and we are looking forward to bringing you gigabit Internet and Google Fiber TV service. Over the next few months, we will be upgrading the existing fiber network in Provo to make it even faster. We hope to connect our first customers in Provo later this year, and will have more information to share this fall.

In the meantime, you can read all about the official announcement from Provo Mayor John Curtis.

We can’t wait to see you all in Provo!

– The Google Fiber Team

According to FierceTelecom, Google has finalized the purchase of the flailing fiber network iProvo for $1. Competing network CenturyLink opposed the acquisition and “sent a letter to the Provo City Council protesting the deal”, but that didn’t succeed in stopping Google’s purchase.

The company has set up a sign-up form for interested Provo residents to stay in the loop with the Fiber rollout.

Google Fiber creates thriving startup industry in Kansas City

Chance Miller Jun 20 2013 - 7:56 am PT

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Ben Barreth, owner of the Homes for Hackers house

When Google first announced Fiber, thousands of cities jockeyed to be the first test location, but to many people’s dismay, Kansas City was eventually named the winner. For the past year, internet service in the area has been booming thanks to the network, which in turn has made it a popular area for startups and entrepreneurs, according to a new report from CNET. When Google announced Fiber, web designer and Kansas City local Ben Barreth bought a house in the startup district in hopes of being one of the first people to be connected to the network. In order to pay for the house, he started it up as the “Home for Hackers,” which he says is a place for startups and entrepreneurs to rent out a space to work and be connected the incredibly fast internet service.
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Fiber to be a profitable business, not a tech experiment, says Google

Ben Lovejoy May 31 2013 - 4:13 am PT

Credit: CNET/Marguerite Reardon

Credit: CNET/Marguerite Reardon

With Google Fiber promising 1Gb speeds for $70 a month – a dramatically better deal than anything else currently available in the USA – there had been a pretty widespread assumption that it was a tech experiment on Google’s part, to see what kind of services could be offered on a really high-speed link, rather than a money-making business. But not so, says a Google Fiber exec speaking at a Fiber-to-the-Home Council meeting covered by CNET …
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Google Fiber TV remote app for iPad released

Zac Hall Apr 23 2013 - 11:33 am PT

Google launched its Google Fiber TV for iPad app today allowing Google Fiber customers to transform their iPads into QWERTY keyboard, TV guide yielding TV remotes.

For the past month, our Fiber TV customers have been able to control their TVs with any recent Android device. Using the Fiber TV app from the Google Play Store, they can search for programming, browse listings, and select shows or recordings with just the touch or swipe of a finger. Now, iPad users can enjoy this simple, intuitive experience, too.

This should come as great news to tablet owners in Kansas City, Austin, and Provo.

Google Fiber TV for iPad is available for free in the App Store.

(Source: Google)

Google to announce Google Fiber in Provo today? (Update: Confirmed)

Zac Hall Apr 17 2013 - 11:25 am PT

Google will add Provo, Utah, to the list of cities set to receive its ultra high speed Google Fiber Internet service.

Austin, Texas was revealed earlier this month to be joining Kansas City as host to Google Fiber.

The announcement by Provo Mayor John Curtis will be live streamed at 3:30 PM EST.

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Google Fiber speeds already doubled by Japanese ISP

Ben Lovejoy Apr 16 2013 - 6:17 am PT

Google Fiber’s 1Gbps Internet service, billed on launch as “100 times faster than broadband”, has already been beaten by Japanese ISP Nuro, reports Engadget. Not only is this twice as fast as Google Fiber, it’s also twice as fast as most local-area Ethernet connections. Japanese subscribers can get the service for 4,980 Yen ($51) a month.