Google Fiber re-opens Austin signups, expands service plans
Google Fiber is re-opening its neighborhood signup programs in some pockets of Austin where it already offers its high-speed Internet service and rolling out cheaper data plans that will run at slower speeds, the company said Thursday.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., which owns Internet giant Google, said that it has received requests to re-open the signups to add new customers.
In December 2014, Google Fiber began the signup process, which calls for neighborhoods to reach certain thresholds of customers signing up in advance of the service being available.
Google Fiber said it will now re-open the signup process in the Lady Bird Lake, Bluebonnet, Emerald Forest and Ben White neighborhoods to allow customers who previously didn't sign up to get the service. Those areas include pockets of Austin where 1-gigabit service has been already up and running.
Google, like other cable and Internet providers, has declined to say how many subscribers it has. It did say that interest has been strong across Austin and by re-opening signups, it hopes to connect even more people with its super-fast Internet service.
“Since we were last in the neighborhood, we’ve heard lots of requests to bring back signups. We’re so touched by the support,” the provider told eligible residents in an email Thursday. “Whether you just moved into town or missed your last signup deadline, we want everyone to have a new chance to get Fiber. Which is why we’re excited to announce that signups are back in South Austin.”
Google Fiber drew national attention — and local, enthusiastic support — when it announced in April 2013 that it planned to bring its super-fast Google Fiber service to Austin. At 1-gigabit speeds, a user can download 25 songs in 1 second, a TV show in 3 seconds and a high-definition movie in less than 36 seconds, according to industry figures. Area officials hailed it as a boon for Austin's economy and its technology sector.
The company has faced its share of challenges launching the service in Austin, including delays and hundreds of construction-related complaints from area residents.
Google Fiber also said Thursday that it will begin offering Fiber 100, a $50 monthly plan with speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, for eligible customers. That’s below its normal $70 monthly service for 1-gigabit speeds.
“In Austin, we want to connect more people at true broadband speeds,” said Parisa Fatehi-Weeks, Head of Community Impact Programs & Investments, Google Fiber Austin. “That’s why we’re introducing the Fiber 100 plan, which offers more streaming, faster surfing, and quick uploads and downloads.”
With speeds of 100 megabits per second, a user can download an HD movie in 6 minutes and stream 4K HD videos on three or more devices at the same time.
For the new plan, there won’t be caps on data usage, no router rental fee and a $100 installation fee will be waived with a 1-year commitment for single-family homes (there is no installation fee for users in apartments and condos).
Google Fiber said it will also offer a “Broadband Internet” plan in what it calls “digitally divided” neighborhoods, or areas with low rates of Internet connectivity.
This plan, at $15 a month, includes speeds of 25 megabits per second, which would allow video calls and streaming of HD content and has no data cap, equipment rental fees or required application process. A one-time $300 construction fee will be waived in those cases, the company said.
Residents can determine if they are eligible for this service by entering their address in the Fiber signup page at fiber.google.com.
“As we work to bring Google Fiber to Austin, we’re also working to connect people impacted by the digital divide,” Fatehi-Weeks added. “Our Broadband Internet plan will help bring people online in Austin’s most digitally divided neighborhoods, and offer speeds fast enough to make video calls, stream HD content and more.”
