Google Fiber Blog

Libraries Without Borders US takes San Antonio’s digital divide head-on

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Google Fiber works with incredible partners across the country working to make digital equity a reality in our communities. Back in 2019, we shared the innovative work of Libraries Without Borders US (LWB US) in San Antonio, TX, and now we’re thrilled to welcome Victoria Becker, Communications and Engagement Associate, to provide an update on those efforts through the pandemic and beyond. LWB US is a non-profit organization that delivers access to information, education, and cultural resources. From parks in Baltimore to laundromats in San Antonio, LWB US designs innovative tools and programs that meet people where they are with the resources they need most.

Wash and Learn Initiative

Lisa Alvarenga, our San Antonio Project Coordinator.

Growing our network in the Charlotte area

Monday, August 23, 2021

Next up in our city update series, we travel to Charlotte and see what’s happening with our Queen City team.

Concord announced last week that Google Fiber is coming soonMatthewsHelping our community connectworked closely with our librariestaken that show on the roadProject OutPourHope VibesCharlotte Mecklenburg Library FoundationTech Risinginnovative ideas from nonprofit organizationsDigital Navigator ProgramWhat’s next?fiber.google.com/careers

How to make your home Wi-Fi network more secure

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

ALOHAnet in Hawaii in 1971this pageWhy do we care?Piggybacking:Network capture/sniffing:TLSAbusing network services:support pageshereSSIDpagehereMAC addresses

The first thing to do is check for updates. Similar to how the OS on your phone/computer/etc receives new versions, there will also be new versions of the firmware that runs your Wi-Fi router. Check to make sure you’re running the latest version — if you aren’t sure how to do this for your device, do an online search with your model name/number and “firmware update.”

Review your router logs. Check to make sure you know all the devices that are on your network. If you set up MAC address filtering, verify all those devices are still in use. If you threw something out, then make sure you’ve removed it from the approved address list.

Rotate the encryption key. This is going to be annoying, there is no way to get around that. Every device on that SSID will need to be updated with the new key. But if you did have someone who had figured out the key and was surreptitiously using your Wi-Fi, rotating the key will knock them off your network.

Change the admin credentials. Similar to underwear, passwords should not be shared and should be changed regularly.

* Yes, MAC addresses can be changed, but that is rare, and highly unusual.

One hot summer in the Salt Lake Valley

Monday, July 26, 2021

ProvoSouth Salt LakeMillcreekTaylorsvilleHolladaySandytake a look at our open jobsServing the ValleyThe last year has shown just how vital these efforts areSpy Hopwelcomed four new NTEN fellowsTwitterFacebook

Introducing the 2021 Digital Inclusion Fellows

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Digital Inclusion Fellowsworst connected communitiesdigital navigatorswas growingmuch higherfundingthe 7th cohort of Digital Inclusion FellowsNTEN

TwitterFacebook

How my family watches what we love (without cable)

Monday, July 12, 2021

My ad-averse momNetflixThe Criterion Channel Some other good services if you love film and TV without commercials:

Hulu

Disney+

Peacock

My major league stepdadFubo TVESPN+ Some other good services if you love live, local, and sometimes not-so-local sports:

MLB Network

B/R Live

My money-conscious girlfriendPluto TV Some other good services if you don’t love spending money:

Crackle

Tubi TV

My on-the-go broYouTube TV Some other good services if you love live TV without forced bundles:

SlingTV

Philo

As for me, I like a lot of different things Some other good services if you love to mix it up:

Discovery+

Paramount+

CuriosityStream

Oh, and I didn’t forget about my little snack stealer

In the Triangle, Google Fiber is working all the angles.

Monday, June 21, 2021

customers can sign up for 1 Gig and 2 Gig

we’d love to have you join the Google Fiber teamjust like GoogleServing our communityBAND-NCInstitute for Emerging Issues at NC StateBroadband Infrastructure Office at the NC Department of Information TechnologyRIoTRIoT Your Reality.The Museum of Life & Science2020 recap videoField Trip Friday EpisodesUnited Way of the Greater Triangle’s Anti-Racism FundCreating anti-racist capacity across our community will provide the opportunities for our entire region to grow and thriveFaster and farther

Better TV is here

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

trusted testersChromecast with Google TVGoogle Wifichat with one of our customer service team members to upgradeover the fastest internet availablefiber.google.com/tv/upgrade

Helping our communities through 2020 - Google Fiber’s 2020 Community Impact Report

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

PCs for the People in Kansas City

internet access for learning or workdevices to get onlineunemploymentfood insecurity

Over 250,000 people participated in programming funded by Google Fiber

Even with the challenges of the pandemic, partners provided 124,000 hours of digital literacy training both virtually and in person, and prepared more than 3,000 new volunteer trainers to pay this work forward

Partners distributed over 8,500 devices to help people get online

More than 700 job seekers gained employment through funded programming

Entrepreneurship programs led to 43 new businesses

More than 6,000 people connected new internet service in their homes

Libraries without Borders in San Antonio

92% work with underrepresented groups

79% work with children or seniors

52% work with the LGBTQ+ community

51% work with individuals with disabilities

36% work with veterans

31% work with previously incarcerated individuals

Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas

category: community_impact

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svgimageurl: //storage.googleapis.com/fiber/blog/respondingpartners2020.svg