For many Americans, there is little choice when it comes to time to select an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Comcast, Time Warner, these are just a few of the big names, but they severely lack competition. Companies like this receive some of the lowest Net Promoter Scores – a simple test which gauges general consumer satisfaction – and are likely to only get worse as they are removed from their Title II Regulations under the Communications Act or 1934 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. One service has entered the market, and has extremely positive feedback from its subscribers is Google Fiber.
The Google ISP
Not to be confused with their Mobile Carrier service, Project Fi, Google Fiber is a high speed ISP provided maintained by Google. However it is so much more than that. This service has been around for a while, but it is even younger than Bitcoin is. It started providing service in February of 2010
Google Fiber’s connection is up to 1,000 megabits per second, which means blisteringly fast downloads. This is roughly 100 times faster than most Americans currently experience. Its service plans are rather affordable as well, considering the speed and scope of its support.
It also can include a television package, like what many of the other ISPs include in cable or satellite packages. It does not stop there even, as Fiber customers can have a house phone -I know what a novel idea- included for free in any of their plans, all with incredibly affordable international calling. Though if phone service is the main concern, I would still suggest Project Fi.
“Why have I not heard about this?”
Some of you may be thinking, “why have I not heard about this?” The answer to that, is that unless you live in a City where they have service then you are not even able to consider it as an alternative. Outside of these cities, it is just not an option for you as a consumer.
Google Fiber is limited to a very small number of American cities, and even some of those do not have the same kind of access that others do. Take for example, Kansas City. This was the first city to get Fiber access and enjoys all the aspects I outlined above. The city of Chicago also technically has Fiber, but it is serviced a company called “Webpass” which was bought by Fiber. Only certain apartments and residential complexes have access to Fiber through webpass, the rest of the city is out of luck. Service bundling also does not appear as comprehensive as full Fiber.
But those who do not have access to Fiber may not be out of luck forever. They are expanding, and may be coming to your city sooner than you think. I realize that I can be a bit of a fanboy for Google, so maybe take this with a grain of salt, but I think that these kinds of speeds at those kinds of prices along with all the services they bundle may change the way we think about ISPs. If I were a competing ISP, I would do my best to get on their level before Fiber comes into their turf.
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