Google announced in February that it had invited nine additional metropolitan areas and 25 nearby cities to talk with the company about “what it would take to bring them Google Fiber.” The metro areas include Portland, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, San Antonio, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham.
Computerworld said it has seen a document that was sent to the 34 cities that are candidates for Google Fiber service in 2015. The service is set to roll out in Austin later this year.
The document does not include details on the Wi-Fi service, but it does say that Google would be “discussing our Wi-Fi plans and related requirements with your city as we move forward with your city during this planning process.” The company made no response to specific questions from Computerworld, but did say that it would “love to bring Wi-Fi access to all of our Fiber cities,” but that is has no plans to announce at this time.
While Google’s plans have not exactly caused Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) to lose any sleep yet, competition from one of the dominant Internet companies is not something any one of them is looking forward to. Google spins off gobs of cash from its search business and the company’s interests are well-served by expanding both the reach of the Internet and its speed. What may look like folly could also be interpreted as a plan for world domination (just kidding).
Where Google Fiber is available it costs $70 a month for Internet service and an additional $50 a month for video service. Slower speeds are available free for customers who pay a construction fee ranging from $30 to $300.
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