History of Google Fiber in Timeline

Google Fiber (GFiber) is a broadband internet service provider owned by Alphabet Inc. It offers fiber optic internet to homes in select cities across 19 U.S. states. By 2016, Google Fiber had an estimated 453,000 broadband subscribers. The company aims to provide high-speed internet access through fiber-optic technology.

2007: Google TiSP Signup

On April Fools' Day 2007, Google hosted a signup for Google TiSP, a commode-based wireless router connected to TiSP Access Nodes via fiber-optic cable in sewage lines.

2010: Google to announce winner/winners

Google originally stated that they would announce the winner or winners by the end of 2010

2011: Trial Launch and First City Selected

In 2011, Google launched a trial in a residential community of Palo Alto, California. On March 30, Kansas City, Kansas, was selected as the first city to receive Google Fiber.

2011: Announcement delayed until early 2011

In mid-December, Google pushed back the announcement to "early 2011" due to the number of applications.

December 2012: Google Fiber Announced as Viable Business

In December 2012, Google Fiber was announced as a viable business model, with Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt stating it was being run as a business at The New York Times' DealBook Conference.

2012: Google Fiber edible bar announcement

On April Fools' Day 2012, Google Fiber announced its product was an edible Google Fiber bar, claiming it delivers what the body needs for activity, energy, and productivity.

April 2013: Expansion to Austin and Provo

In April 2013, Google Fiber announced expansion to Austin, Texas, and Provo, Utah.

October 2013: Deployment in Overland Park Put on Hold

In October 2013, Google placed deployment in Overland Park, Kansas, on indefinite hold due to concerns about an indemnification clause required by Google.

October 2013: Modified Acceptable Use Policy

In October 2013, the acceptable use policy for Google Fiber was modified to allow "personal, non-commercial use of servers".

2013: Expansion Cities Announced

In 2013, Austin, Texas, and Provo, Utah, were announced as expansion cities for Google Fiber on April 9 and 17 respectively.

2013: Google Fiber to the Pole announcement

On April Fools' Day 2013, Google Fiber announced Google Fiber to the Pole, offering ubiquitous gigabit connectivity across Kansas City. Users could supposedly access ultrafast speeds even when out and about, but the links led to an April Fool's message.

January 2014: Bill introduced in Kansas Legislature to prevent Google Fiber expansion

In January 2014, a bill (Senate Bill 304) was introduced in the Kansas Legislature to prevent Google Fiber from expanding further in Kansas using the model used in Kansas City.

February 2014: Cities Invited to Explore Google Fiber

In February 2014, Google announced it had "invited cities in nine metro areas around the U.S.—34 cities altogether—to work with us to explore what it would take to bring them Google Fiber."

February 2014: Senate Bill 304 loses momentum

In February 2014, Senate Bill 304 (SB304) lost momentum in the Kansas state senate, and the bill's sponsor, Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association (KCTA), indicated that it is highly unlikely that it will continue to pursue the legislation in the current legislative session.

April 15, 2014: Pilot Program for Small Businesses

On April 15, 2014, Google began polling business users on their need for gigabit service, saying they would be "conducting a pilot program where we'll connect a limited number of small businesses to our network".

July 2014: Overland Park Deal Approved

As of July 2014, Overland Park's City Council voted on a deal allowing Google Fiber. Soon after, the city appeared on Google Fiber's website.

2014: Subsequent expansions

In 2014, Google Fiber announced subsequent expansions to Atlanta, Charlotte, Research Triangle, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and San Antonio.

2014: Coffee To The Home announcement

On April Fools' Day 2014, Google Fiber announced Coffee To The Home, which delivers customized coffee drinks using a spout on the fiber jack.

August 5, 2015: Expansion into San Antonio Announced

On August 5, 2015, expansion into San Antonio was announced.

August 2015: Google Restructuring and Google Fiber

In August 2015, Google announced its intention to restructure the company, moving less central services and products into a new umbrella corporation, Alphabet Inc. As part of this restructuring plan, Google Fiber would become a subsidiary of Alphabet and would possibly become part of the Access and Energy business unit.

September 10, 2015: Exploring Expansion to Irvine and San Diego

On September 10, 2015, Google tweeted that it was exploring the possibility of adding Irvine and San Diego, California, as future expansion cities.

October 28, 2015: Negotiations with Jacksonville, Tampa, and Oklahoma City

On October 28, 2015, Jill Szuchmacher, Google Fiber Director of Expansion, announced ongoing negotiations with local governments in Jacksonville, Florida, Tampa, Florida, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

December 8, 2015: Seattle and Chicago Application and Study

On December 8, 2015, the Seattle City Council's Director of Communications indicated the city was applying for Google Fiber. Also on December 8, 2015, Jill Szuchmacher said Google will work with Chicago to study construction factors.

2015: Further expansions

In 2015, Google Fiber continued expansions to Atlanta, Charlotte, Research Triangle, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and San Antonio.

2015: Dial-Up Mode announcement

On April Fools' Day 2015, Google Fiber announced Dial-Up Mode, for people who prefer slower Internet reaching speeds up to 56k, to help people get back to real life more often.

February 22, 2016: Google Fiber to Expand into Huntsville, Alabama

On February 22, 2016, Google announced that Google Fiber would expand into Huntsville, Alabama.

April 14, 2016: Google Fiber Construction Announcement in San Antonio

On April 14, 2016, Google announced that they were behind the visible construction across San Antonio, Texas, deploying about 4,000 linear miles of fiber-optic cable. Competitors dropped prices and increased speeds. San Antonio was the largest project undertaken by Google Fiber to date.

June 14, 2016: Collaboration with Dallas Mayor

On June 14, 2016, Jill Szuchmacher said the company will work with Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings to try to bring another hub to Texas.

June 22, 2016: Google Fiber Buys Webpass

On June 22, 2016, Google Fiber bought Webpass, an Internet service provider specializing in high-speed Internet for business and residential customers.

July 12, 2016: Sign-ups Open in Highland Creek

On July 12, 2016, sign-ups opened in Highland Creek.

August 2016: Sign-ups Opened

In August 2016, sign-ups were opened.

September 13, 2016: Sign-ups Opened

On September 13, 2016, sign-ups opened.

October 4, 2016: Sign-ups Open in Prosperity Village

On October 4, 2016, sign-ups opened in Prosperity Village.

October 2016: Expansion Plans Put on Hold and Job Cuts

In October 2016, Google Fiber put all expansion plans on hold and cut some jobs. However, the company stated it would continue to provide Google Fiber service in the cities where it was already installed.

October 2016: Expansion Plans on Hold

In October 2016, all expansion plans were put on hold and some jobs were cut. Google Fiber will continue to provide service in the cities where it is already installed.

October 2016: Webpass Deal Closed

In October 2016, the Google Fiber deal with Webpass was closed.

December 2016: Construction Underway and Sign-ups Open

As of December 2016, construction is underway and sign-ups are open.

December 2016: Construction Underway

As of December 2016, construction was underway in San Antonio.

2016: Exploring 1 billion times faster speeds announcement

For the 2016 April Fools' Day joke, Google Fiber announced it was "exploring 1 billion times faster speeds".

2016: Google Fiber Customer Estimate

In 2016, Google Fiber was estimated to have about 453,000 broadband customers.

2016: Estimated Cost of Wiring a Fiber Network

In 2016, the estimated cost of wiring a fiber network like Google Fiber into a major American city was $1 billion.

January 2017: Construction Halted in San Antonio

In January 2017, construction was halted pending concerns about the placement of Google Fiber huts in city parks. Mayor Ivy Taylor expressed commitment to working with Google to address community concerns.

April 2017: Google Fiber Starts Construction in Louisville

In April 2017, Google announced that Google Fiber would start construction in Louisville, Kentucky.

May 23, 2017: Google Fiber Service Launch in North Huntsville

On May 23, 2017, Google Fiber announced it would start offering high-speed Internet, TV and telephone service in north Huntsville.

August 2017: Google Fiber Officially Operating in Sylvan Park, Nashville

As of August 2017, Google Fiber announced that the Sylvan Park neighborhood in West Nashville had Google Fiber service officially operating, making Nashville a city currently with Google Fiber service.

2017: Google Fiber Launches and Shallow Trenching

In 2017, Google Fiber launched in Huntsville, Louisville, and San Antonio. It also began heavily relying on shallow trenching, which sometimes resulted in cables being ripped up.

April 2, 2018: Huntsville Utilities Fiber Build

On April 2, 2018, Huntsville Utilities continues to build fiber in Southeast Huntsville which have been turned over to Google fiber to service.

February 2019: Google Fiber Shuts Down Service in Louisville

In February 2019, Google announced it would shut down service on April 15 in Louisville, Kentucky, due to disruptive installations and poor workmanship. Google agreed to pay $3.8 million for clean up.

May 9, 2019: Google Fiber Micro-trenching in San Antonio

As of May 9, 2019, Google Fiber had micro-trenched 600 miles of fiber in San Antonio neighborhoods. San Antonio's trenching depth was 6–8 inches.

February 2020: Google Fiber Stops Offering TV Service to New Customers

In February 2020, Google Fiber stopped offering TV service directly to new customers. Instead, customers are presented with promotions for virtual MVPD services.

March 22, 2021: Google Fiber Announces Service in West Des Moines

On March 22, 2021, Google Fiber announced it would start offering high-speed Internet, TV and telephone service in northeast West Des Moines.

March 2022: Expansion to Des Moines, Iowa

In March 2022, Google Fiber announced it would bring high-speed internet to the Des Moines, Iowa, metro area, marking its first expansion in five years.

August 2022: Expansion into 22 Metro Areas

In August 2022, Google Fiber announced it would expand into 22 metro areas in five states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska, and Nevada), including previously announced expansions into Mesa, Arizona, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.