Is Google Fiber Worth the Hype?

Google Fiber, a broadband internet service under the Access division of Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company), has been around for just shy of a decade. It launched in 2012 in Kansas City and is only available in 11 cities across the United States.

With numerous headlines around future expansion, is Google Fiber worth the hype or just another trendy piece in Google’s fleet of products and services? In this post, we’ll cover what it includes and everything there is to look forward to.

Google Fiber is expanding. See if it’s available to you.

Find Internet In Your Area

What Is Google Fiber?

Google Fiber is the company’s broadband internet service. They offer two different gigabit plans: 1 Gig and 2 Gig. The fiber internet provider markets itself as being the faster and more reliable option over cable internet.

According to the FCC, fiber internet transmits data much faster than DSL or cable speeds, but the speed you receive depends on various factors like proximity to the main fiber source and neighbor usage. So, faster? Yes. More reliable than cable? Not necessarily. 

If Google Fiber is available in your area, you can have fiber in your home following this simple process: 

1. Google Fiber is installed on the outside of your home

Certified Google Fiber installers will bring service from the existing network to the side of your home to install the fiber drop. The fiber drop is a fiber cable that connects the cables from the existing network to a small box called the Network Interface Unit (NIU). The NIU is placed on the side of your house by your other utilities. 

2. An in-home installation is scheduled 

Once the NIU is attached to your home, their team will reach out to schedule your installation if it’s not done on the same day. The external NIU installation is not done by appointment but will take place whether you are home or not. 

3. Google Fiber is installed 

An installation specialist will install a Fiber Jack inside your home. The Fiber Jack is a device that connects the fiber coming into your home to Ethernet and then to your WiFi router and the rest of your home. Once the Fiber Jack is installed, your service is ready to use. 

Google Fiber Availability

This internet service is currently available in 11 US cities while Webpass is available in 7 cities. Even if service is available in your town, it may not be offered in your exact location. Use the zip search on their website to see if Google Fiber plans are available and ready for your home. Google Fiber’s reach is growing, with plans to step beyond major urban centers. As highlighted in a recent CNET article, new frontiers like Lakewood, Colorado, are on the horizon, along with expansions in suburbs around existing Fiber cities. This growing footprint is a promising sign for those yearning for top-tier internet outside the hustle of big cities.

How Much Does Google Fiber Cost?

In the world of internet providers with ambiguous plans and pricing, Google Fiber keeps it simple. There are two plans to choose from: 1 Gig and 2 Gig. Both plans come without the stress of data caps, annual contracts, and hidden internet fees. The 1 Gig plan, at 7 cents per Mbps, and the 2 Gig plan, at even lower 5 cents per Mbps, make them some of the best deals around when it comes to high-speed internet.

Compare the two options below:

Google Fiber offers their 1 Gig plan for free to customers in select public housing and affordable housing properties across Fiber cities. The service comes with no installation fees, construction fees, or contracts. Find more information about Gigabit Internet for Public Housing in the Google Fiber Help Center.

Additional Products 

Google WiFi 

With the 1 Gig plan, you’ll receive up to two Google WiFi points. Google WiFi is a mesh system that automatically puts your devices on the best WiFi channel. If you need more than two Google WiFi points, additional points are available for $100 each. 

The 2 Gig plan comes with WiFi 6 and a Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router and tri-band Mesh Extender. The Mesh Extender extends your WiFi by connecting to the router to create a seamless network that allows you to move anywhere in your home without reconnecting your device. 

Google Fiber Webpass

Webpass is a point-to-point wireless technology using dropped ethernet lines that allows an internet provider to deliver fast speeds to apartments and condos in densely populated areas. Google Fiber Webpass is only available in select major cities. 

Google Fiber Phone

Google Fiber’s phone service is powered by Google Voice and is delivered over the internet. Google Fiber Phone is available for $10/month and comes with unlimited free calls in the United States and Canada. 

Future Expansion

This ISP launched almost 10 years ago and is still only available in 11 cities. If you’re wondering “Where the heck did Google Fiber go?” you’re not alone.

In July 2020, the ISP announced that West Des Moines, Iowa would be the newest market for fiber-to-home service. Two years later, we’re still waiting for an update on that.

Currently, Google Fiber seems to be using most of its resources to expand in current markets like Austin and Kansas City.

According to Google Fiber, building a new fiber network takes time. In Kansas City, it laid 7,000 miles of fiber, which is almost the distance from New York City to Beijing. While the stalled rollout makes sense, we’re eagerly watching how the ISP will expand its high-speed internet across the country. 

Is It Worth It?

Before we jump into the pros and cons, let’s talk about customer satisfaction. According to Forbes, Google Fiber scores ‘Great’ in customer ratings and ‘Excellent’ in customer support. This aligns with the American Customer Satisfaction Index where Google Fiber ranks above the category average, outshining many non-fiber providers. These scores are a testament to Google Fiber’s commitment to not just fast internet, but also quality service.

In a perfect world where Google Fiber is widely available in almost every city, yes, it’s absolutely worth it. The 2 Gig plan for $100/month is unmatched. The fast download and upload speeds in both plans are perfect for online gamers, heavy streamers, and large households.

Google Fiber has simplified fiber internet with its “what you see is what you get” offerings. Fingers crossed that they continue their hyped-up, overdue rollout.