If you’ve contemplated setting up your personal mini data center or find yourself in need of streaming a whopping 1,333 Netflix 4K programs simultaneously, Google Fiber has the solution. The Alphabet-owned ISP will introduce its 20Gbps service, complete with Wi-Fi 7, in specific cities early next year, priced at $250 per month (plus taxes and applicable fees) — a reasonable cost considering the extraordinary speed.
“We’re kicking off in Kansas City, North Carolina’s Triangle Region, Arizona, and Iowa,” the company stated. “As we continue to implement Nokia’s 25G PON across our network, we’ll extend invitations to new areas, so ensure you’ve expressed interest if you aim to be among the first to experience this at home.”
Similar to Google’s other Fiber offerings, the 20Gbps speeds are symmetrical, ensuring consistent performance for both uploads and downloads. Google highlights that Wi-Fi 7, boasting peak wireless speeds of 40Gbps, is so cutting-edge that it hasn’t received full certification yet. The service is provided through Google’s GFiber Labs division, leveraging new Nokia 25G PONs (passive optical networks) integrated as part of last-mile infrastructure upgrades.
Although it comes with a substantial price tag, the new plan introduces intriguing possibilities. Google pledges multi-gig internet speeds across various floors of your residence, thanks to a specially designed Wi-Fi 7 router co-developed with Actiontec. This allows plan subscribers to spread the cost across multiple users, enabling, for example, 20 people to have 1Gbps connections at just $12.50 per month each.
Priced at $250 per month, the new plan delivers four times the speed of AT&T’s Elite 5Gbps fiber offering. However, Google Fiber’s challenge has not been the technology or value proposition but rather its availability. The 5Gbps and 8Gbps plans are still in their infancy and only accessible in a handful of regions. While present in certain major cities such as San Francisco, Atlanta, and San Antonio, Google Fiber is notably absent in key markets like New York City and Los Angeles.
The 20Gbps plan is set to roll out in the mentioned cities in the first quarter of 2024. It’s important to note that achieving a fraction of the maximum speed requires the fastest available Wi-Fi on your computer, currently Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 on select models.
