Google Fiber: 1 Gb/second download speeds, and a "free" option

Serious Business 72 replies 3,439 views
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Jul 26, 2012 4:39pm
Google is rolling out their "Fiber" internet service in Kansas City in about a month and a half: http://fiber.google.com/about/

There will be three options for service, one for $120/month (that includes 1 Gbps internet and TV), one for $70/month (just 1 Gbps internet), and one "free" option that will be a $300 construction fee, then free internet for at least 7 years (at 5 Mbps download speeds).

Pretty cool, and I can't wait for them to get to my city.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 26, 2012 4:54pm
Damn. DO WANT.
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WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Jul 26, 2012 4:58pm
There isn't anything for free. What's the catch?
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 26, 2012 5:00pm
WebFire;1234823 wrote:There isn't anything for free. What's the catch?
It's $300 to set it up. One time fee.
TedSheckler's avatar
TedSheckler
Posts: 3,974
Jul 26, 2012 5:01pm
And only the 5Mbps is free.
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Jul 26, 2012 5:02pm
WebFire;1234823 wrote:There isn't anything for free. What's the catch?
Well, you still do have to pay the $300 construction fee up front. And they have to have the service in your neighborhood to get it, it won't just be available wherever. And who knows, maybe they'll charge you for renting equipment. But the service itself will be free.

Edit: And as mentioned, only the 5mbps is free. The 1gbps is $70/$120.
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Jul 26, 2012 5:06pm
Also awesome is the 2TB storage box and 1TB of cloud space that comes with the service. And the free tablet that you use as your remote.

Fuck it, Google, shut up and take my money.
Crimson streak's avatar
Crimson streak
Posts: 9,002
Jul 26, 2012 5:10pm
I want it!
I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
Jul 26, 2012 5:18pm
I would murder entire villages.
Mulva's avatar
Mulva
Posts: 13,650
Jul 26, 2012 6:22pm
I don't see AMC, ESPN, TBS, or HBO (obviously that one isn't a surprise, but they do have Showtime) on that channel list.
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Jul 26, 2012 6:38pm
gorocks99;1234829 wrote:Also awesome is the 2TB storage box and 1TB of cloud space that comes with the service. And the free tablet that you use as your remote.

**** it, Google, shut up and take my money.
That makes the deal more interesting. Although, who really needs that much online storage? Unless you've got a huge blu-ray video collection or a ton of songs in FLAC, what's the point? Heck, you can already put 20k songs in the cloud with Google Music.

Otherwise, unless you're d/ling torrents there are few sites that actually utilize that kind of bandwidth. Maybe it makes sense if you had a family of 5 all watching HD video online, but otherwise it's overkill. I've got Xfinity broadband for like $20/mo at 20mbps.
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WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Jul 26, 2012 6:56pm
justincredible;1234825 wrote:It's $300 to set it up. One time fee.
And only the 5Mbps is free.
Yeah, I can read. But $300 will not recoup their investment for 7 years. There has to be another catch, like serving ads while you are browsing or something.

And 5 Mbps is fine for just about every household. Hell I played Xbox online with a 3 Mbps when I had shit DSL.
O-Trap's avatar
O-Trap
Posts: 14,994
Jul 26, 2012 7:09pm
I Wear Pants;1234837 wrote:I would murder entire villages.
This belongs in Belly's "Crazy" thread about CCWs.
Pick6's avatar
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Jul 26, 2012 7:42pm
I like the idea, but it seems a bit pricey and overkill.
OSH's avatar
OSH
Posts: 4,145
Jul 26, 2012 10:18pm
The city of Toronto supposedly has city-wide free internet. If you fly in any other country (just about), it seems there is free internet at all the airports.

But here in the states...we must make a buck off of it. There's no reason why we shouldn't have internet throughout the majority of the US and be relatively inexpensive. Doing that would allow for greater opportunities for everyone.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Jul 26, 2012 10:31pm
gut;1234855 wrote: I've got Xfinity broadband for like $20/mo at 20mbps.
No you don't. I've been pricing out new internet and you do not get 20 mbps for $20. Not with infinity, not with anyone.

Source: [h=3]XFINITY® - Internet Offer | comcast.com[/h]<cite>www.comcast.com/</cite>

Get Up to 12Mbps Download Speeds w/ Powerboost® for $29.99/Mo./6 Mos.!

lolfail
Pick6's avatar
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Jul 26, 2012 10:41pm
OSH;1234967 wrote:The city of Toronto supposedly has city-wide free internet. If you fly in any other country (just about), it seems there is free internet at all the airports.

But here in the states...we must make a buck off of it. There's no reason why we shouldn't have internet throughout the majority of the US and be relatively inexpensive. Doing that would allow for greater opportunities for everyone.
yea, lets have the government give us more stuff.
OSH's avatar
OSH
Posts: 4,145
Jul 26, 2012 11:23pm
Pick6;1234986 wrote:yea, lets have the government give us more stuff.
Who says it has to be from the government? Why can't it be from the private industry?
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Jul 26, 2012 11:43pm
Commander of Awesome;1234977 wrote:No you don't. I've been pricing out new internet and you do not get 20 mbps for $20. Not with infinity, not with anyone.

Source: XFINITY® - Internet Offer | comcast.com

<cite>www.comcast.com/</cite>

Get Up to 12Mbps Download Speeds w/ Powerboost® for $29.99/Mo./6 Mos.!

lolfail
Take a look at their bundled plans, genius - $80/mo for HD, dvr, and 30mbps internet.. The comparable standalone digital preferred package for cable is $84/mo...so you do the math.
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WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Jul 26, 2012 11:46pm
OSH;1235017 wrote:Who says it has to be from the government? Why can't it be from the private industry?
Just give that a little bit of thought.
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WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Jul 26, 2012 11:49pm
gut;1235026 wrote:Take a look at their bundled plans, genius - $80/mo for HD, dvr, and 30mbps internet.. The comparable standalone digital preferred package for cable is $84/mo...so you do the math.
I don't see that bundle listed. And standalone 30 Mbps is $50. You can't compare it like that.
Pick6's avatar
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Jul 26, 2012 11:55pm
OSH;1235017 wrote:Who says it has to be from the government? Why can't it be from the private industry?
and...what incentive would a private industry have to give everybody free internet?
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Jul 26, 2012 11:58pm
WebFire;1235030 wrote:I don't see that bundle listed. And standalone 30 Mbps is $50. You can't compare it like that.
Why not? There's an $80 bundle with digital preferred and 30mbps internet with blast. Priced alone that's like $115. So your discount (1yr promo) is @ 30%, which would make what you pay for the internet @$21. And my deal is even better than that.

And actually they have a stand alone promo for 20mbps internet for $20 (6 months). Might just be offers for current customers though.
O-Trap's avatar
O-Trap
Posts: 14,994
Jul 27, 2012 12:04am
Pick6;1235038 wrote:and...what incentive would a private industry have to give everybody free internet?
Right to advertise, off the top of my head.
Classyposter58's avatar
Classyposter58
Posts: 6,321
Jul 27, 2012 12:35am
OSH;1234967 wrote:The city of Toronto supposedly has city-wide free internet. If you fly in any other country (just about), it seems there is free internet at all the airports.

But here in the states...we must make a buck off of it. There's no reason why we shouldn't have internet throughout the majority of the US and be relatively inexpensive. Doing that would allow for greater opportunities for everyone.
That's what makes us America. I mean lol we pay $30 an hour to people on assembly lines so of course we know how to make a buck