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: 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.
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.
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.
July 12, 2016: Sign-ups Open in Highland Creek
On July 12, 2016, sign-ups opened in Highland Creek.
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.
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.
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.
2022: TV service was maintained for existing clients until early 2022.
In early 2022, TV service was maintained for existing clients.
October 2023: Google Fiber Rebrands to GFiber
In October 2023, Google Fiber rebranded to GFiber and announced plans to begin offering 20Gig internet and Wi-Fi 7 hardware in the near future.
January 2025: Google Fiber Speed Options
As of January 2025, Google Fiber offers three symmetrical speed internet options: Core, Home, and Edge.
2025: Updated Plans and Speeds Unveiled
In early 2025, new updated plans and speeds were unveiled for Google Fiber. The 1TB free Google Drive was discontinued.
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