Category Archives: Google Fiber

The latest news from the Google Fiber team

GFiber Labs announces first project: 20 Gig with Wi-Fi 7

When we rolled out GFiber Labs last month, we told you that we had a lot of things in the works and we were looking forward to sharing more soon. I am excited to share our very first GFiber Labs project. Earlier today, we announced at NetworkX in Paris that we will be offering residential 20 Gig + Wi-Fi 7 by the end of the year. 

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When we started back in 2010, our central tenet — everyone should have access to gigabit internet — was bold. Now, it’s the norm. And it’s time for us to push beyond as the internet develops and grows. We need to keep up with and exceed expectations, so that we can harness that incredible potential. So we are setting another audacious goal to make multi-gig speeds (and yes, up to 20 Gig and beyond) mainstream and accessible. We’ve already got thousands of 5 Gig and 8 Gig customers and have customers using 20 Gig in organizational settings, like our friends at University Missouri - Kansas City and the United Way of Utah County. The age of multi-gig is here, and we’re committed to meeting that challenge.

As the inaugural GFiber Labs project, 20 Gig with Wi-Fi 7 will bring together the most advanced technologies to offer customers a first-of-its-kind in-home internet experience. GFiber will be one of the first ISPs to deploy Nokia’s 25G PON technology, which will allow our customers to break the 10 Gig barrier that limited existing architectures. Nokia’s 25G PON provides up to 10x speeds energy efficiently and without requiring any changes to the existing fiber in the ground. 



Additionally, by offering this service with a custom pre-certification Wi-Fi 7 router (another first ever — in fact, Wi-Fi 7 is not even fully certified yet), 20 Gig customers will be able to truly harness all that speed for whatever they dream up. With GFiber Labs, we’re working to get the newest technologies into customers homes even more quickly.



We’ll be sharing more details on this new product offering over the next few months. As a GFiber Labs project, this service will initially be available as an early access offering to a small group of GFiber customers in select areas. If you are interested in potentially receiving an early access invitation, please sign up on the GFiber Labs website (and follow us on social for the latest on all our GFiber Labs projects —  Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram).

Next generation internet will require pushing the boundaries of the entire internet ecosystem. We believe investments in advanced network technologies will catalyze change and be a game-changer for consumers.  We’re thrilled to be working with companies like Nokia to move our industry forward. Through GFiber Labs and collaborations like this, we’re building the foundation for tomorrow’s internet. Continue to watch this space for more on 20 Gig + Wi-Fi 7 over the next few months! 

Posted by Nick Saporito, Head of Product.



Google Fiber is busy in North – and now South – Carolina!

Google Fiber is continuing to grow in the Carolinas! As we continue to build out our networks in Charlotte (CLT) and Research Triangle (RDU), we just announced our intention to build our first city in South Carolina – Tega Cay on beautiful Lake Wylie as we expand our service area in the greater Charlotte Metro area. 


Earlier today, we joined SC Governor Henry McMaster, Mayor Chris Gray and many more new friends to celebrate the news. We expect to start construction in the Tega Cay area in early 2024 and serve our first customers there later in the year.  


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Meanwhile, we’ve been busy in the Old North State, too. J.D. Power recently ranked us #1 in customer satisfaction in the South Region, and we’re working to set that bar even higher. We rolled out 5 Gig service in CLT and RDU, and 8 Gig in CLT (with RDU on the way later this year). 


In Charlotte, we are expanding our reach to Concord and Huntersville. And in the Raleigh-Durham region, we’re adding Garner and Hillsborough while continuing to build out Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro, Apex, Raleigh and new neighborhoods in other existing cities.


As always, we’re working with local organizations to make an impact across the communities we serve, especially on digital equity and STEM education. In September, we joined CLT’s E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide) to send 1,000 kids back to school equipped with refurbished laptops. 



In keeping with our strong commitment to the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), we’ve added a new service plan for ACP participants. 300 Meg provides symmetrical uploads and downloads of up to 300 mbps for $30 a month. With the government subsidy, this product is available at no cost to eligible customers. Google Fiber was founded on the ideal of giving more people access to fast, reliable internet at an accessible price – and ACP delivers just that. 


And we’re not slowing down. As we continue to expand our network to more of the Carolinas, we are revved up and ready to do great things across these communities. 

 

Posted by Jess George, Head of Government and Community Affairs, East Region




Wi-Fi Focus: Maximizing your Wi-Fi for a faster, more reliable connection


Yes, Google Fiber offers fast and reliable internet. But, to truly get "fast" internet and efficiently stream your favorite shows, work from home and enjoy gaming online, getting the most out of your Wi-Fi network is important. Here are some key steps and strategies to ensure you get a seamless optimized Wi-Fi experience. 

Basics

Google Fiber internet comes to your home through light over fiber optic cables (this differentiates fiber internet from your typical DSL or cable internet); Google Fiber Webpass customers get their internet through mmWave wireless technology combined with fiber optics. These deliver data to the Fiber Jack in your home, and your Wi-Fi router connects to the Fiber Jack and transmits data into Wi-Fi waves out to your devices (phones, computers, TVs, smart appliances, etc.). The speed of your Wi-Fi connections depend on a number of factors: internet plan, router’s capabilities and placement are the most relevant. But other factors such as signal strength, interference from neighboring devices, layout and size of your home and Wi-Fi congestion can also affect the speed and reliability.

Optimizing your Wi-FI:

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Routers

An up-to-date router that supports the latest Wi-Fi standards will deliver the most stable connection. That’s why GFiber regularly updates the routers that are included with your internet service plan to support the latest, like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. (In fact, if you are a GFiber 1 Gig customer who is still using the original Google Fiber network box you may be eligible for a complimentary upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6 device.) 

No matter who your internet provider is, using an updated Wi-Fi device will likely mean a better internet experience. Even with an updated router, you also need to regularly check for firmware updates and install them promptly. Performance enhancements, security fixes and improved features are all included in these updates, which can help ensure optimal performance and security for your Wi-Fi network.

Signal strength and interference

Where your router is in your home can affect your Wi-Fi signal strength and cause interference if not optimally placed. Ideally, the router should be centrally located and placed high, away from obstructions like thick walls or metal appliances to provide even coverage and distribution of the Wi-Fi signal throughout your space. 

If you have a large space or areas with poor coverage, a mesh Wi-Fi system can help extend your Wi-Fi coverage and create a more seamless internet experience across the entire home. Pro Tip: Place the mesh extender halfway between the router and the area with poor coverage. 

Hardwiring

Additionally, you may want to consider connecting stationary computers, streaming TVs and devices, and gaming consoles to a router via an ethernet cable for a dependable connection. When you hardwire bandwidth hungry devices such as 4K TVs, WFH computers and gaming consoles to name a few, you establish a reliable dedicated link to the network which typically results in faster, more stable internet speeds with less Wi-Fi interference. Wi-Fi connected devices also benefit when you hardwire data hungry devices, since it reduces network congestion and opens up the airwaves for Wi-Fi only devices. If you need a consistent and strong internet connection, hardwiring remains the preferred choice for now.

Frequency and network congestion

There are three different frequency bands available for Wi-Fi:

  • 2.4 GHz: Most common on all Wi-Fi devices and routers. 2.4 GHz spectrum usually reaches more areas and offers wider coverage. However, it has considerably less bandwidth than other frequencies, meaning you may experience buffering and inconsistent speeds.  

  • 5 GHz: Most modern smartphones, laptops and Wi-Fi routers support this. The 5.0 GHz spectrum has a shorter range but can power many devices at once, so smartphone and laptop users won’t have to worry about interruptions on this frequency. 

  • 6 GHZ: Recently launched for public use and available only in high-end Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices, also known as Wi-Fi 6E. It provides even faster speeds, increased bandwidth and less congestion than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. For the first time, Wi-Fi 6E offers faster speeds than some ethernet cables out there. Due to operating in a higher frequency band, 6 GHz has a slightly less coverage area than 5 Ghz. If you want to be an early adopter and help us test these latest technologies, sign-up here.

Users typically don’t have to decide which frequency to use. Routers can automatically select the best frequency for your device, as long as your Wi-Fi name and password are common across all three frequency bands. Don’t worry though, most routers default to this setting so there’s nothing for you to figure out. In some cases, it may make sense to separate the 2.4 GHz from other Wi-Fi bands. This will create a dedicated network for your 2.4 GHz devices but your smartphones and other mobile devices will have a hard time seamlessly connecting to your 5 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi as you move around the house. Therefore, we recommend keeping the default setting on your router. Pro tip: In rare instances if your Wi-Fi network is not performing as expected, restarting your router can typically solve most common problems. 

While there are many things that affect your Wi-Fi experience, implementing these strategies can help ensure a faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connection. For most people, Wi-Fi is the primary way of getting online, so getting the most out of your Wi-Fi will help you get the most out of the internet. 

Posted By Ishan Patel, Product manager

Is your internet “high fiber”? Nutrition labels can make it clear

If you've ever signed up for internet service and honestly not been sure what is included in the price, you're not alone. So the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is doing something about it.


There’s been a lot of talk about the FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels. These “nutrition labels” are designed to make it easy for customers to understand what they are paying for and what they are getting when it comes to their internet service from any provider. We think it’s a great idea, and we didn’t think that Google Fiber customers should have to wait for that clarity. As of today, GFiber is launching nutrition labels for our residential 1 Gig, 2 Gig, 5 Gig, and 8 Gig products — some of the first to roll out anywhere.


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As you can see, the labels clearly show customers what they can expect when it comes to speed, price, and any fees that might apply, along with information regarding data caps and contracts (no caps or annual contracts here as you can see).


GFiber has always strived to provide clear pricing and value ($70 for a Gig since day one with equipment and installation included and no data caps or annual contracts), along with transparent billing for our customers, and we believe that these nutrition labels will further aid in that effort. For too long, our industry has hidden behind fees and pricing tactics that made it difficult for people to truly compare their internet options. Labels like these allow customers to understand what they are paying and what’s included — and what’s not — in that price. 


GFiber will update these labels to reflect the FCC's guidelines by the 2024 deadline. We believe that internet should be simple and straightforward — and as our new labels show, at GFiber it clearly is. For more information, please check out our Broadband Labels page.


Posted by Ariane Schaffer, Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager.

Speeding up in Huntsville – 5 Gig now available!

Rocket City is about to get even faster — customers in Alabama can now sign up for Google Fiber’s symmetrical 5 Gig service for $125 a month.


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With up to 5,000 mbps symmetrical upload and download speeds, 5 Gig is designed for households that need more than just fast internet. With a Wi-Fi 6 router included, up to two mesh extenders, a 10 Gig Fiber Jack, and professional installation, you’ll get a faster internet experience throughout your home. And as always, GFiber has no data caps or annual contracts. 


And even if you aren’t quite ready for all that speed, you may still be able to get faster Wi-Fi! Huntsville GFiber 1 Gig customers who are still using their Google Fiber network boxes as their router are eligible for an upgrade to a new Wi-Fi 6 router at no additional cost. Switching to Wi-Fi 6 can provide up to 30% faster speeds on compatible devices and give you more control of your home network through the Google Fiber app. Check your eligibility today and to bring your home network up to speed.


Better internet is something we can all agree on — whatever that means for you and your household. GFiber is committed to bringing our customers internet that meets their needs and helps them make the most of everything they do online.


Posted by Nick Saporito, Head of Product

Celebrating Digital Inclusion Week at GFiber

Google Fiber believes everyone deserves fast, reliable internet at an accessible price all year round. But this week is Digital Inclusion week- the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on some of the high-impact digital equity work that we are excited to be a part of! Join us as we celebrate the projects and partnerships that are getting more people connected to the amazing opportunities the internet provides. 

Affordable high-speed internet: Access to high-quality internet is essential for every household, yet affordability is a challenge for many on the wrong side of the digital divide. That’s why we’ve been such strong supporters of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, and why we are now offering 300 Meg for $30 a month to customers who are participating in this program. With the $30 subsidy through the FCC, this plan is available at no cost to our ACP customers. The need for the Affordable Connectivity Program has never been clearer.  Over 20 million American households are using these funds to stay connected to work, school, family and more. That’s why Google Fiber has been encouraging Congress to renew funding for ACP. Reach out to your representatives to ask them to ensure this essential program continues to connect our country.

Digital literacy: We invest in digital literacy programs that empower people with the skills needed to navigate the online world. This year GFiber supported Des Moines, Iowa’s Shalom Community Impact Center’s digital literacy programming, helping immigrant families get connected to the critical resources needed to navigate their new home. In Nashville, Tennessee, we proudly supported the Nashville Cyber Seniors workshops, classes, and educational resources. And in Atlanta, Georgia, our partner Inspiredu provided over 3,500 hours of digital literacy training to community members.


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Transformative partnerships: Many of our longtime partnerships are pioneers of sustainable and scalable community-based solutions. In 2015, we became a founding sponsor of NTEN’s  Digital Inclusion Fellowship, a nationwide effort to build the capacity of local organizations to close the digital divide in their communities. In 2023, we are proud to sponsor 15 fellows in this year’s cohort of digital equity champions. PCs for People in Kansas City was one of our earliest community partners.  This year, we launched a new partnership with this digital equity powerhouse to get low-cost internet to 4 affordable housing communities.  And in North Carolina, our longtime partner E2D is bridging the device gap, distributing over 1,000 no-cost laptops to families in need when they need them most- before the start of the new school year.    


Local alliances:  We support foundations and coalitions who are tackling their community’s big challenges.  We proudly support the Community of Huntsville Foundation’s Digital Equity Fund, which has invested in 33 digital equity programs across the city. In Austin, Texas, we supported Foundation Communities’ vision of  creating “housing where families succeed” by providing residents with a no-cost laptop. In Arizona, Google Fiber joined the Mesa College Promise Program supporting the education of Mesa’s high school students for the first two years of college. 



Innovative technologies: Innovation has always been at the heart of Google Fiber’s bold vision that everyone should have access to affordable internet. In the last three years, we’ve made tremendous strides, upgrading our products, services and network. This year, we launched GFiber Labs, dedicated to pushing the bounds of innovation and increasing our ability to serve more people in more places.  

From digital navigators to policy makers, we are so proud to be part of a movement to bring better internet to more people. But Digital Inclusion week isn’t just about celebrating. It is also a chance to reflect on where we can continue to challenge ourselves and others to advance digital equity and inclusion in a meaningful way.  (One more plug to encourage your representative to support ACP!) 2023 has been a year we are proud of, but there is so much work to be done and we are just getting started.  

Posted By Jess George, Head of Digital Equity & Community Impact




Internet fit for a Queen — 8 Gig now available in Charlotte, North Carolina


First it was Mesa, Arizona, then it was West Des Moines, Iowa — and now Google Fiber is excited to announce Charlotte, North Carolina as the third city to launch 8 Gig speed. Charlotte customers have even more choice when it comes to their internet needs. The 8 Gig plan includes symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 8,000 Mbps, a Wi-Fi 6 router (or you can use your own), up to 2 mesh extenders for strong WI-Fi coverage, and professional installation with Google Fiber’s dedicated customer service all for the price of $150/month.


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With the introduction of the symmetrical 8 Gig internet, Google Fiber is embracing the future of connectivity and setting a new standard for internet speed and reliability not just based on current needs but future needs as well. With up to 8000 Mbps upload and download speeds customers can enjoy near instantaneous downloads, 8k streaming, minimal lag gaming and rapid data uploads.


As we said last week, Google Fiber will continue pushing what “fast” means when it comes to internet service. We believe that everyone deserves fast, reliable, fairly priced internet without contracts, data caps or installation fees. Charlotteans can find more information or check service availability here.


Posted by Nick Saporito, Head of Product

300 Meg internet service is now available for Affordable Connectivity Program participants at no cost.

Google Fiber was founded on the ideal of giving more people access to fast, reliable internet at an accessible price. That’s why we’ve been such strong supporters of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, and why we are now offering 300 Meg for $30 a month to customers who are participating in this program. 

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With the $30 subsidy through the FCC, this plan is available at no cost to our ACP customers. It provides symmetrical uploads and downloads of up to 300 Mbps and include a Google WiFi device, along with no data caps, no annual contract, and GFiber’s dedicated customer service.  

How do I get it? With Digital Inclusion Week coming up, the necessity of the Affordable Connectivity Program has never been clearer. Over 20 million American households are using these funds to stay connected to work, school, family and much more. That’s why Google Fiber has been encouraging Congress to renew funding for ACP. Reach out to your representatives to ask them to ensure this essential program continues to connect our country.

Posted by Jess George, Head of Digital Equity & Community Impact, and Ariane Schaffer, Government Affairs & Public Policy Manager





Introducing GFiber Labs. . .future internet up next

Google Fiber was founded on the idea that everyone should have access to Gigabit internet and that it should be priced accordingly. In 2010, this was a pretty audacious idea and GFiber played a leading role in making that idea mainstream. 

But when we slowed down our expansion, our pace of product innovation slowed down too. In the last three years, we’ve made tremendous strides, upgrading our products, services and network. We’ve focused on not just keeping up, but going beyond — being one of the first to offer 2 Gig, to roll out Wi-Fi 6 and whole home Wi-Fi 6E, to bring 5 Gig and 8 Gig to whole cities at affordable rates, and to offer 20 Gig in a home setting.  And we don’t intend to stop any time soon.

While the last few years were productive, we’ve been asking some fundamental questions about where the internet industry needs to go next:   

What if we are just scratching the surface? Is 100G really fast enough for what the future demands? Are we positioned to deliver a world of connectivity powered by cloud applications, AI and even someday quantum computing services? Have we developed advanced network services that can deliver the best content experience for customers today?  And what if we invest in infrastructure and services that can lead to groundbreaking evolution for education and commercial applications that can fuel the US economy and provide economic opportunities for all?


Asking audacious questions got us to this point, and we aren’t stopping now.  That’s where GFiber Labs comes in — asking the next generation of hard, exciting questions to bring a new level of innovation to our industry.

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GFiber Labs will serve as an innovation hub dedicated to exploring what’s possible for the internet —  major efforts focused on speed to the home and speed in the home are already underway, paving the way for a whole new internet experience for customers that will touch every part of our business. 

And we won’t just be doing this by ourselves. We’ll collaborate with other companies working to push the internet forward. This isn’t about a single ISP — the entire internet ecosystem — from those working on deployment to those working on content and everyone in between has a role to play in getting us to next.

So what kind of challenge are we talking about? When it comes to the Internet, we’re setting no limits. Let’s push speed to the home and in the home to 100 Gig and beyond, using Wi-Fi 7 and 8 to make home networks truly multi-gig. Let’s reimagine what’s possible with advanced content becoming commonplace (3D, Augmented VR, 16K video and beyond).  Let’s create a network that can self heal in real time. Let’s offer bespoke customer experience, designed for and by our customers, at scale. Let’s use technologies like photonics, millimeter wave wireless, and others to bring high quality internet to more people, in more places at even faster speeds. And just as importantly, let’s drive digital equity and make Gigabit internet the baseline of service in the US.

We have so much to do. As an industry, we need to kick innovation into high gear. We should be trying new things faster, finding out what works in the real world. GFiber Labs will do this by bringing these emerging technologies to early adopters. We’re actually already doing this — we rolled out 20 Gig to UMKC late last year, and we’re testing it with consumers today.  These projects fall under GFiber Labs, and they are just the beginning. 

We love what we do, and we believe in what we do. We are playing for the right things - bringing the full potential of the Internet to consumers to improve their lives.  This is an incredible privilege and a huge responsibility. We won’t always get it right, and we definitely won’t do it alone. But with our learnings from GFiber Labs, we can build the foundation for the Internet of today, and tomorrow. So stay tuned — much, much more to come here.

Posted by John Keib, Vice President, Technology, Operations, and Product






Leveraging new learning methods with the help of Google Fiber in West Des Moines


In 2022, Google Fiber provided a $30,000 grant to the West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation to advance their initiative to expand STEM programming in all West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) elementary schools. This support was directed to Western Hills Elementary School, where principal Jenna Presley has launched a new STEAM lab this fall. STEAM programming taps into children's natural curiosity and creativity, and Western Hills staff and teachers have been evaluating and planning the best ways to engage the entire student body to explore the world through this new resource.

 

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For our dedicated team at Western Hills Elementary School, getting back to school is our favorite time of the year. Each of our students, from pre-K through sixth grade, comes from a different background and learns in different ways, so we’re constantly looking for opportunities to better reach students, enhance their learning experience and set them up for success both inside and outside the classroom. 



This year, we are proud to offer a brand new, interactive STEAM lab to our students with resources that span across ages and grades. STEAM incorporates all the great attributes of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – while incorporating arts into the mix, including visual, language and physical arts. Many students have greater aptitude and affinity for either arts and humanities or mathematics and science, and STEAM brings these together while tapping into students’ natural curiosity and creativity.



Several WDMCS elementary schools offer some STEM/STEAM programming to their students, so when we were presented with this opportunity by Google Fiber, we knew our students would greatly benefit from these types of learning resources.


Our staff has been incredibly intentional with the grant from Google Fiber. We not only needed a physical space in the school, but also a way to create access to the resources and activities so teachers could check them out from the lab and bring them into their classrooms. Much more than a play space, we wanted to create an interactive and exploratory space that fosters hands-on learning, hones underlying strengths and student learning targets, and finds ways to connect these resources within existing lesson plans. 


We have worked for months to make this program and lab as accessible as possible. After going through a professional development and training seminar this summer, each of our teachers worked with staff to evaluate lesson plans for opportunities to incorporate our new STEAM resources. A few of the tools students get to experience and learn with this year include:

  • BeeBots programmable robots introduce the concept of coding and emphasize measurement and multiplication skills

  • Spirobots introduce the practical application of robotics to students 

  • Merge Cubes interactive digital canvas enhance learning potential and opportunities 


These tools are just a few of the many our staff will utilize to explore and leverage new learning methods and opportunities with our students. At Western Hills Elementary, we are big proponents of voice and choice, and we strive to offer a variety of resources for both our staff and students that foster engagement, learning and excitement while here at school. 


Thanks to a generous donation from Google Fiber, our team is proud to bring these new exciting STEAM resources and lab to our staff and students. This is just the beginning. We know this lab will grow and shift as the tools and resources become more ingrained in our lesson plans and offerings, and we are excited to create new ways to bring out the genius in all of our students. 


Posted by: Jenna Pressley, Principal, Western Hills Elementary School