Google Fiber expanding to 4 more cities

Internet service needs more competition in the United States. And it’s about to get it in 4 more cities from Google Fiber!

A look at Google Fiber’s expansion plans

Google announced the rollout of Fiber to Atlanta and Nashville today. Expansion plans are also expected to be announced in the North Carolina cities of Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham later this week, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Google Fiber delivers high-speed Internet 100 times faster than monopolies and at a better price. Current pricing in Kansas City — a market that already has Fiber — includes a $70/month package with up to 1 gigabit (1,000 Mbps) upload & download speed and a $120/month package with Internet and 150+ channels (HD included).

In many cities, Google Fiber is also providiving free lifeline Internet ($300 setup fee required), which offers the slow speed of about what you have now from the monopoly phone and cable companies. That’s a price I like!

Let’s face it: The Internet experience in the United States today is abysmal. We rank 14th in worldwide Internet speeds. But when Fiber goes in, it will put us on par with the likes of highly wired places such as Zurich and South Korea. Look for hookups in the newly announced cites to start in late 2015/early 2016.

As a side-benefit, I’m expecting other Internet service providers to lower their rates in an attempt to compete wherever Fiber goes in.

When you think about it, Google has a vested interest to protect in this scenario. As the monopolies meter and throttle Internet use, that could take a bite out of Google’s content and ad-driven business model. So Fiber is Google’s answer to that.

According to the Google Fiber website, here are the cities set to be included in this week’s rollout announcements:

• Georgia – Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs, Smyrna
• North Carolina – Charlotte, Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Morrisville, Raleigh
• Tennessee – Nashville-Davidson