Category Archives: Google Fiber

The latest news from the Google Fiber team

Light it up — GFiber is coming to Vegas!


In February, GFiber announced that we’re bringing high speed internet to Clark County, our first foray into Nevada. Now, we're pleased to share that we’re planning to expand that network to the City of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas City Council is currently considering an agreement that will enable us to bring fast, reliable internet to Las Vegas residents.

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Over the past decade, Las Vegas has been one of the fastest growing cities in the country, attracting new people and businesses daily. GFiber is looking forward to connecting this vibrant community to great internet service, with symmetrical speeds up to 8 gig, as it continues to grow.

GFiber is already working on the engineering design for Las Vegas. The Las Vegas City Council will vote on our agreement on June 5. Once that is in place, we can get to work on the permitting process with city staff. GFiber plans to begin construction in the City of Las Vegas early next year and serve our first customers in 2025. Local residents who want up-to-date information on service availability or the construction process can sign up here.

Viva Las Vegas! 

Posted by Ashley Church, General Manager, West Region


Light it up — GFiber is coming to Vegas!


In February, GFiber announced that we’re bringing high speed internet to Clark County, our first foray into Nevada. Now, we're pleased to share that we’re planning to expand that network to the City of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas City Council is currently considering an agreement that will enable us to bring fast, reliable internet to Las Vegas residents.

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Over the past decade, Las Vegas has been one of the fastest growing cities in the country, attracting new people and businesses daily. GFiber is looking forward to connecting this vibrant community to great internet service, with symmetrical speeds up to 8 gig, as it continues to grow.

GFiber is already working on the engineering design for Las Vegas. The Las Vegas City Council will vote on our agreement on June 5. Once that is in place, we can get to work on the permitting process with city staff. GFiber plans to begin construction in the City of Las Vegas early next year and serve our first customers in 2025. Local residents who want up-to-date information on service availability or the construction process can sign up here.

Viva Las Vegas! 

Posted by Ashley Church, General Manager, West Region


Empowering Women in Tech: A Personal Journey with Tech-Moms


Today on the GFiber Blog we’re featuring a guest post from Tech-Moms, one of our incredible Utah partner nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping women transition into tech and achieve long-term success in their careers through training and counseling. As a past cohort graduate, Katie Swenson, the organization’s Social Media Marketing Manager, reflects on her journey to Tech-Moms and why the recent partnership with GFiber is a game-changer. 

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My journey into the tech world wasn’t typical. I didn’t major in computer science or dream of coding as a child. Instead, I took what some might call the “traditional” route in life. After graduating with a B.S. in Human Nutrition from Southern Utah University in 2011, I got married, and embarked on a career in sales for a large food distributor. For seven years, I honed my skills in empathy, accountability, customer service, and negotiation, all while raising three young children with my husband. 

In 2020 the pandemic hit, and the restaurant industry, my primary clientele, suffered overnight. I found myself scrambling to help these businesses stay afloat while still juggling the demands of motherhood. The constant blur of balancing work and home life was taking its toll, and I knew I needed a change. 

In June 2020, I made the decision to leave my corporate job and become a stay-at-home mom. It was a leap of faith, knowing it would mean a significant pay cut for my family. Unfortunately, just two months later, I lost my mother to Mesothelioma after a 6 year battle. Amidst grief and uncertainty, I stumbled upon an article about Tech-Moms. 

Tech-Moms? Learning to code? It sounded intimidating at first, but something inside me urged me to sign up for their spring 2021 cohort. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. Over the course of nine Saturday classes, I learned to design a website from scratch and found a supportive community of women that I never knew existed. 

This experience ignited a passion within me. I just knew I wanted to be a part of Tech-Moms in any way I could. When a part-time position for their social media marketing manager opened up, I jumped at the opportunity, despite not having much experience in the field and being pregnant with my fourth child. Two years later, I’m still learning and growing every day, surrounded by an incredible team while witnessing lives being transformed within this community, just like mine was. Being present with my children has been an immense blessing. There is no shortage of memories being made. 

With GFiber’s support, we are reaching even more women and able to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in tech. Collectively, we’re breaking down barriers and empowering women to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background or previous experience. 

At Tech-Moms, our mission is simple yet profound: to empower women to thrive in the tech industry. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to reenter the workforce, or a seasoned professional seeking a change, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Learn more about Tech-Moms at tech-moms.org

Posted by Katie Swenson, Social Media Marketing Manager











Tech-Moms is always accepting applications on our website. We run cohorts each fall and winter: September through November and January through March. There are two options for our core training program: in person each Saturday for 9 weeks (Utah only), and a virtual course taught in 2 sessions per week (generally one weeknight and Saturday morning for 9 weeks). Course tuition is $400 (financial assistance is available). Our students learn basic front-end web development, including HTML, CSS, and Javascript, and build their own simple website as a final project. We also have extensive career exploration opportunities during the course. Upon completion, each student will receive additional support in choosing their next steps, including additional training and education, job search assistance, or both. Our graduates are moving confidently into tech roles across all industries, all with the long term support of our Tech-Moms community. We truly live by our motto: Once a Tech-Mom, Always a Tech-Mom. 




Speed on Business: Home Care Connections in Des Moines

In the next installment of our Speed on Business series, Jakob Burke, Director of HomeCare Advocacy Network of Des Moines, a provider of in-home senior care services, shares how the company helps families in the Des Moines area navigate senior care using innovative technology and quality internet to assist in providing consistent, compassionate support. 

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At HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), we understand that excellent care depends on the power of connection. Our goal is to bridge the gap between high-quality care and families who need it most. 

Our expansion into Des Moines in February, marked a new chapter of dedicated service. Our mission at HCAN is to provide personalized care that feels like an extension of one’s family. Whether in the comfort of one's home or within an independent living facility community, our caregivers lend a hand with daily routines or offer specialized care.


In the ever-changing landscape of home care, high-speed internet service is critical to how we operate. From maintaining our social media presence to ensuring our 24/7 admin team is just a quick call away, Google Fiber keeps us connected to the families we serve and the healthcare professionals we partner with in Central Iowa.

Using GFiber is more than just about internet connectivity; it's about ensuring that video calls with families discussing care options are uninterrupted, digital training sessions for our caregivers are crystal-clear, and every administrative task is handled with utmost efficiency. It is the basis of our commitment to be there when needed, without fail.

Looking ahead, the long-term vision for HCAN is to not only meet the growing demand for quality home care but to revolutionize the industry. We are pioneering flexible care plans and innovative solutions, like our soon-to-be-launched AI monitoring tools, that provide additional support for our clients. Our specialized training programs, partnerships with hospice and home health organizations, and commitment to continuing education for our caregivers are what set us apart in a sea of home care options.

At HCAN, it’s not just about the services we provide, we care deeply about the culture we create within our team by fostering an environment where respect is paramount, and where the well-being of our caregivers is as important as that of the families we assist. Each family represents a unique story, a life enriched, a stress alleviated. And, as we continue to grow and support more families in need, we remain inspired by the possibilities of what thoughtful, connected care can achieve. 


HCAN is proud to deliver care that’s as resilient and enduring as the community we serve. For those seeking a partnership in care or simply exploring options, HCAN is here, arms wide open, ready to be the support you need, when you need it most. Together, we can navigate the journey ahead with confidence and compassion.

Posted By Jakob Burke, Director, Home Care Advocacy Network of Des Moines




What’s up in San Antonio – a more connected, faster city — now with 5 Gig and 8 Gig


It’s been awhile since we shared an update on what’s happening with Google Fiber in San Antonio. We’ve been hard at work upgrading our network to provide the best customer experience possible and to make sure we meet the evolving needs of our customers.  

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Faster

As we’ve made the improvements to our San Antonio network, we’ve also been installing XGS PON — which means, as of today, many San Antonio residents can sign up for GFiber’s incredibly fast 5 Gig and 8 Gig services. With both of these products, customers get symmetrical uploads and download speeds, a GFiber Wi-Fi 6E Router (which allows for up to 1600 Mbps over Wi-Fi) and up to two Mesh Extenders to extend your home’s Wi-Fi coverage, and, as with all our plans, unlimited data, professional installation, and access to GFiber’s highly-rated customer service.

Farther

Across the country, there has been a consistent struggle to broaden access to the internet. In 2023, according to the Texas Comptroller’s office, nearly one-third of households in the San Antonio metropolitan area lacked a high-speed internet connection, one of the worst rates of any metro area in the country. In fact, over ten percent of the city’s population had no internet access at all. This number is staggering and unacceptable. GFiber has been working with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County to connect more homes in the region to fast, reliable internet. Since we began offering service in San Antonio in 2016, we have continued to expand to new neighborhoods throughout the metro area, including most recently, neighborhoods in and around Windcrest, near Morgan’s Wonderland, and the Stone Oak and Encino areas. We also recently started serving our first neighborhoods in unincorporated Bexar County—in areas located both to the east and west of the San Antonio city limits.

Fairer

Access is just one piece of digital inclusion. In our efforts to further digital equity initiatives in the city, we are working with a number of committed community organizations, including:





San Antonio is a vibrant city with a rich culture. GFiber is committed to expanding its footprint in the city, providing more San Antonians with what they deserve: fast, reliable internet. And there’s more to come! 

If you are interested in what’s happening in your neighborhood, you can sign up for updates here. You can also follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) to get the latest news on GFiber. 

Posted by John-Michael Cortez, Government & Community Affairs Manager.

The FCC’s "Broadband Consumer Labels” put customers in control, and that’s a good thing for ISPs

We’re living in the age of broadband internet — internet service providers (ISPs) are announcing major infrastructure investments, committing to fund significant network upgrades and building new high speed service in communities across the country. At the same time, the federal government is also investing unprecedented amounts to support the deployment of broadband in underserved areas. Given the ubiquity of the internet in our daily lives, these efforts are both long overdue and not enough to give customers what they really need from their ISP — yes, fast, reliable internet, but also a redefined customer experience that is both easy to navigate and to understand.


As part of its effort to improve broadband service nationwide — not just in terms of speed but also in terms of customer experience — the federal government is requiring all ISPs to provide broadband “nutrition labels” on their websites when purchasing service. The point of these labels is similar to the nutrition label on a cereal box (or any other food). They are designed to help consumers make clear comparisons between broadband plans based on key factors such as price and speed and to help them understand what they get for their money. 


This type of transparency is a part of Google Fiber’s origin story. Google was built on the idea that information is powerful. And finding the information you need when you need it can change the game. In fact, doing this made the internet navigable — a digital world where information was readily and easily accessible to anyone online. Historically, easy and transparent are not words that many people would associate with ISPs, and that has to change. Nutrition labels are a start in the right direction for our industry.


Choice, and even more importantly, understanding that choice, benefits customers. Informed customers are happier customers. Since the very beginning, ISPs have played confusing games when it comes to price and speed. From that mysterious 13-month price bump to incurring extra fees for everything from equipment to data usage, it can be impossible to know what you are actually getting for your monthly payment (or even what that monthly payment will be). 

 

That’s why GFiber has been fully supportive of the FCC’s broadband labels from the very beginning, and why we launched them early last October — six months ahead of this month’s deadline. These labels empower the consumer and set up a strong foundation for what will hopefully be an extremely long term & satisfying relationship for customers. 


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And that’s a big change. As an industry, when it comes to customer trust and satisfaction, we’re only beating gas stations. We have a lot of work to do. Internet access isn’t a luxury — it’s a basic need in a world where more and more of our lives are online. Helping customers understand what they are paying for, not only in terms of speed, but also the additional information on the broadband label, like additional charges for equipment rentals, installation fees and/or data caps, has the potential to change the ISP industry’s behavior radically. (Note: GFiber does not have these types of additional fees.) GFiber aspires to be a big part of that change — it’s what we’ve been working towards for the last twelve years and what we bring more places as we grow.  


The FCC’s broadband labels put all the information out there, giving customers control so they can make the decision that works best for their households. Everything is on the table, so there’s nowhere for disingenuous tactics to hide. 


As a country, we’re making a huge investment in our internet infrastructure. Initiatives like this one will help make sure that customers are getting a return on that investment, improving the overall customer experience and ensuring more transparency across the industry. And that’s a very, very good thing for all of us. 


Posted by Dinni Jain, CEO

Omaha – get the GFiber service of your choice!

Get ready, Nebraska! Beginning today, Google Fiber’s first customers in Omaha can sign up for the service of their choice. We’re starting in the Aksarben neighborhood  — residents can choose 1 Gig, 2 Gig, 5 Gig or 8 Gig to meet their family’s internet needs.



And what better way to celebrate than with a little bit of BBQ (as a Kansas City native, we’re big on our barbecue). Thank you to Oklahoma Joe’s in Aksarben Village where we proved there was such a thing as a free lunch for the customers who came in today to learn more about GFiber. Omaha City Council Member Danny Begley, who represents the neighborhood, was on hand to mark the occasion and to welcome us to Omaha officially. 


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Whichever GFiber internet service new customers in Omaha select — 1 Gig for $70/month, 2 Gig for $100/month, 5 Gig for $125/month or 8 Gig for $150/month —  they also get symmetrical uploads and downloads and equipment and installation included at no additional cost, along with no annual contracts and no data caps. We also offer GFiber for Business. Local businesses can choose between Business 2 Gig for $250/month or Business 1 Gig for $100/month. 



GFiber is just getting started in Omaha. We recently started construction in Bellevue and Council Bluffs, and we’re hard at work to connect more of the city as quickly as possible. As new segments are completed in Omaha, we’ll offer service in those neighborhoods. To stay up to date our construction progress and service availability, sign up here.


Posted by Andy Simpson, Central Region General Manager 










Now, everything’s really up-to-date in Kansas City – 8 Gig available in all GFiber KC service areas


We’re launching 8 Gig in our largest and oldest market — the original Google Fiber metro — Kansas City. The city was recently designated as one of the country’s 31 Tech Hubs by the federal government, a move that recognized both the incredible assets and resources already in the area and the potential for innovation that that infrastructure represents. GFiber is proud to have been part of that growth and development over the past twelve years, helping to drive innovation and testing the limits of speed as our first test site for 20 Gig. 

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KC was also one of the first GFiber cities to get our 5 Gig service. We’ve been steadily rolling out our new multigig products in Google Fiber cities across the country since early last year. To do this, we’re updating our network in each city to XGS PON to ensure that we can meet our customers’ needs as they grow over time. We’re upgrading our network holistically across all our markets. 

Included in the monthly cost, 8 Gig customers get symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 8000 Mbps (wired), along with the GFiber Wi-Fi 6E Router (which allows for up to 1600 Mbps over Wi-Fi) and up to two Mesh Extenders for strong whole home Wi-Fi coverage and, as always, unlimited data, professional installation, and access to GFiber’s highly rated 24/7 customer service.   

You may be wondering why it’s taken us about a year to bring 8 Gig to Kansas City when it was one of the original cities to get 5 Gig in 2023 while other cities have gotten 8 Gig sooner. KC is our largest market — so supporting 8 Gig speeds across our entire service area required us to touch infrastructure across every part of the Kansas City metro area. This is great news not just for our newest 8 Gig customers, but for all our KC customers (and in other cities too), because it means that GFiber’s network is set up to support rising demand for more speed for years to come.

Kansas City has been on the forefront of internet speed since the very beginning, and it’s still very much on the fast track — sign up for 8 Gig here!

Posted by Nick Saporito, Head of Product




Speed on Business-Trimming with Speed

Our small business blog series Speed on Business relaunches featuring Thomas Powell, owner of Tru Skills Barber Shop, a barber shop/ clothing store (SnSlivelife) in Atlanta, who also owns a convenience store called The Village Bodega. He shared with us how access to fast reliable internet has improved service and impacted customer satisfaction in both of his businesses and helped him build on that success.

At Tru Skills Barber Shop, we pride ourselves in putting smiles on every customer that walks through our doors. I opened the shop in 2017, inspired by the understanding and ideology that everyone should look and also feel the effects of a good haircut in a safe and professional environment.

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We are located in the Buckhead Optimist Lofts in downtown Atlanta- ready to serve customers with the best hair cuts, hairstyles and our urban motivational wear clothing and accessories. 

Our experienced professional barbers/ stylist engage in detailed discussions to understand your hair goals, preferences, and the look you’re aiming for. Then using a combination of skills, top tier products and styling tools create amazing haircuts and hairstyles. Our customers always feel valued and satisfied as their hair is transformed into an art form- at the end of the appointment. 
   

Barber shops historically serve a unique social function for community gathering, conversations and camaraderie in the black community. We showcase and sell our SnSLivelife urban wear products at the shop and host events such as podcast interviews to discuss important topics that benefit the community. The motivational clothing brand was initially curated in 2003 to promote the importance of taking struggles and creating a strong powerful life. The two businesses go hand in hand- creating a one stop shop to look and feel good.


An important factor to achieving all this, is having reliable internet. I switched over to Google Fiber four years ago, as soon service was available in my area- and I have been with them ever since. Prior to switching over to GFiber, I experienced issues with download speed and Wi-Fi latency with the internet service I previously had in the shop.

Now, with GFiber internet, booking appointments has been seamless. Customers can easily schedule their preferred time slots with no delay. Credit card transactions are processed swiftly, making the payment process smoother and more efficient. We often have several customers come in for appointments at the same time, and they can all enjoy uninterrupted streaming of their favorite shows or music on their devices or on our tv monitors during their appointments. 



Having reliable and fast internet has been a game-changer for us. The speed and reliability we’ve experienced have not only enhanced our operational efficiency but have also elevated the overall customer experience. Customers give us great reviews for having a premium grooming and shopping experience from start to finish, and our internet is an integral part of that experience.

So come on out and visit us anytime you are in the Atlanta metro area. In fact, if you bring this blog, you can get 10 percent off our products and services this month.

Posted by, Thomas Powell, Owner & Designer at Tru Skills Barber Shop/ SnS Live Life Clothing



Get ready, Nashville: 5 Gig & 8 Gig are here

The internet in Music City is about to get even faster — 5 and 8 Gig speeds are now available to eligible customers in Nashville. 
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Residential customers can now sign up for GFiber’s 5 Gig plan for $125/month or the 8 Gig plan for $150/month. 

The new 5 Gig and 8 Gig internet plans both offer symmetrical upload and download speeds. All 5 Gig and 8 Gig customers will also get the new GFiber Wi-Fi 6 Router (which allows for up to 800 Mbps over Wi-Fi) and up to two Mesh Extenders for strong Wi-Fi coverage in their home. And just like with our other products, these multi-gig products include unlimited data, professional installation, and access to GFiber’s highly rated 24/7 customer service.   


Nashville is ready for faster internet

Nashville's strong economy has allowed for major growth over the past decade. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities in the United States, the vibrant culture, thriving economy, and affordable cost of living has brought thousands of new residents into the city. 

It’s time for faster internet in Nashville. In his recent State of the State address, Governor Bill Lee said that Tenneseans are “ready for the future” and that the state will be focused on opportunity, security, and freedom for residents. 

Google Fiber is so excited to be a part of that future. We’re actively upgrading our fiber network — not just for opportunities today, but also for those that are still coming. With 5 and 8 Gig internet speeds, our Nashville customers can now stream video on multiple devices, enjoy reduced latency for videos and gaming, and seamlessly upload and download large files.

Want to learn more about GFiber? You can find more information or check for service availability in your area here. 

Posted by Nick Saporito, Head of Product