Google Fiber Blog: 2016

Introducing the updated Fiber TV App

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Catch up on your favorite shows. You’ll now find the next episodes from your favorite shows waiting for you as soon as you open the Fiber TV app. With one tap you can begin watching.

Don’t miss the game. See what sports are happening right now, or are scheduled for later, then record them to your DVR with one tap. And you can set up your recordings no matter where you are, even when you’re out with friends.

Find recommendations for what to watch. View personalized recommendations for live TV. That means you’ll know to check out that Fresh Prince of Bel Air marathon or a new show you might enjoy, like Designated Survivor.

Get to your recordings quickly. The app now recommends recordings on your DVR to watch next as soon as you open it, so you can save time getting to the entertainment you love.

Play Store for AndroidApp store for iPhones and iPads Posted by Jared Nusinoff, Product Manager, Google Fiber

Advancing our amazing bet

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

potential Fiber cities
Posted by Craig Barratt, SVP, Alphabet and CEO of Access

Welcome, Webpass to the Google Fiber family!

Monday, October 03, 2016

Juneboot-strapped startup

Current Webpass markets in the U.S.

In addition, Webpass is known for their successful track record lighting up new buildings with super fast Internet service very quickly — sometimes within a month or less once building access agreements are in place. This speed of deployment is possible in part because Webpass manages its own network, which also has the benefit of higher service availability, automatic upgrades for service that gets better over time, and bandwidths of up to 1 gigabit per second.

Of course, at Google Fiber we’re particularly excited about Webpass’ application of point-to-point wireless deployment methodology. As we’ve said, our strategy going forward will be a hybrid approach with wireless playing an integral part. Webpass has proven that point-to-point wireless is a reliable way to connect more people to high-speed Internet in a densely populated environment, by setting up wireless transmission links between buildings. Residents simply plug their device or router into the data jack Webpass installs in their unit, and they’re good to go, browsing with speeds reaching up to a Gig.

Going forward, Webpass will continue to grow and scale their business with point-to-point wireless technology, including expanding into new cities. And for our part, Google Fiber will continue to build out our portfolio of wireless and fiber technologies, to bring super fast Internet to more people, faster. In the meantime, there will be no changes for current Webpass or Google Fiber customers, who will continue to get the same great services they love.

We’re so excited to be working with the Webpass team, who have truly been pioneers in providing super fast, super simple Internet to people who demand choice. Together, the combination of Google Fiber technology with Webpass’ great team and operations will result in more choice and better access for many more people.

Posted by Dennis Kish, President, Google Fiber

A new look and feel for Fiber TV

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

TV’s never been better. With so much great entertainment to choose from, it’s more important than ever to quickly find, record, and watch the shows and movies you love. That’s why we’re introducing the biggest update to Fiber TV since we launched in 2012.

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A new look and feel

It can be tough to find the shows and movies you love—or discover new ones. So we redesigned Fiber TV’s interface to make it easier to recognize the shows you’re looking for. We added helpful information like Rotten Tomatoes ratings to the program description. And we reorganized the DVR to make it easier to navigate your recordings.
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Recommendations & Smart Search

Fiber TV is also introducing personalized recommendations for movies and TV shows you might like. So if you regularly watch The Walking Dead on AMC, it might suggest a show you haven’t seen, like American Horror Story on FX. And with improved Smart Search, you can quickly find what you love on TV and On Demand. Search by title, keyword, or even an actor’s name or sports team.

The TV you love. On Fiber.

We’re always looking for new ways to make Fiber TV even better. Earlier this year Google Cast™ was added to Fiber TV, for one touch casting from your phone, tablet or laptop, and there’s still so much more to come. We hope today’s updates make it easier than ever to find, record, and watch all the entertainment you love.

If you’re a Fiber TV subscriber, you don’t have to do a thing. New customers will get the new Fiber TV as soon as they’re installed. Current customers will automatically get access in the coming weeks.

Posted by Lawrence Kim, Product Manager, Google Fiber

To Nashville, with love

Thursday, September 01, 2016

Update September 20, 2016, 6:00pm PDT: It’s a great day for Nashville. Congratulations to Nashville Metro Council and residents on passing Council Member Davis’ One Touch Make Ready ordinance on its third and final reading. This will allow new entrants like Google Fiber to bring broadband to more Nashvillians efficiently, safely and quickly. We look forward to continuing our work with NES and the local community.

Update September 6, 2016, 7:35pm PDT: We're pleased that Nashville Metro Council supports Council Member Davis’ proposal for a 21st century framework, with a second reading vote of 32-7. Improving the make-ready construction process is key to unlocking access to a faster Internet for Nashville, and this Ordinance will allow new entrants like Google Fiber to bring broadband to more Nashvillians efficiently, safely and quickly. We look forward to continuing our work with NES and other attachers to bring our service to more homes and businesses in Nashville, faster.

Since we launched Google Fiber in Nashville a few months back, we have been humbled by the overwhelming support from local residents, businesses and property owners. We have also been hearing loud and clear that consumers want a choice when it comes to super-fast Internet.

Today Americans have little, if any, choice. The most recent Federal Communications Commission stats show 78% of census blocks have access to only one Internet provider offering speeds of 25 Mbps or more — the minimum speed to be considered “broadband”— while 30% have no broadband access.

So what’s taking so long in Nashville? We have — like many of you — been disheartened by the incredibly slow progress. A big contributor to these delays is the “make ready” process required to attach a new line to a utility pole. Under this current system, each existing provider on the pole needs to send out a separate crew, one by one, to move its own line and make room for a new one. This may have worked a generation ago when there were only one or two attachers, but it’s extremely time consuming — not to mention disruptive to residents of Nashville — to do this with the numerous attachers we have today.

Of the 88,000 poles we need to attach Google Fiber to throughout Nashville, over 44,000 will require make ready work. But so far, only 33 poles have been made ready.

Statistics for “make ready” for Google Fiber in Nashville

We are all seeing the consequences of this old policy: significant delays getting the super-fast Internet you want, from the provider you want. This isn’t just about Google Fiber, but a major hindrance to future innovation for anyone looking to build a new network.

We want to go faster and we know you do, too. The One Touch Make Ready (OTMR) ordinance now being debated by Nashville Metro Council will reduce delay and disruption by allowing the necessary work to be done much more efficiently — in as little as a single visit. This means fewer crews coming through neighborhoods and disrupting traffic, making it safer for workers and residents. The work would be done by a crew the pole owner has approved, instead of multiple crews from different companies working on the same pole over several months.

Once we are on the poles, we will be subject to the same rules as anyone else. That this policy provides an equal playing field for innovation is why experts, groups representing communities, and other fiber builders support OTMR, too. However, some existing providers disagree, and would prefer to keep the current system.

There’s a critical vote scheduled at the Nashville Metro Council on Tuesday, September 6. Since OTMR was first put forward by Council Member Anthony Davis, we’ve worked closely with the Mayor’s office, Council and others to include amendments that we believe make OTMR ready to be enacted. Our sincere thanks to all these folks for their vision, hard work and focus on this ordinance.

If you live in Nashville and you want more choice for super-fast Internet, please reach out to your local Council Member and tell them you support One Touch Make Ready. And attend next Tuesday’s crucial vote at the Metro Courthouse, starting at 6:30 p.m. CDT (arrive early to get a seat!)

We can't wait to bring super-fast Internet to more people in Nashville, faster, and look forward to the outcome of September 6.

Posted by Chris Levendos, Director of National Deployment and Operations, Google Fiber

Digital Inclusion Fellowship: Year 1 Results & Toolkit

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Guest post from Ruben Campillo, former Digital Inclusion Fellow, currently the Digital Inclusion Outreach & Community Engagement Manager, Knight School of Communication, Queens University of Charlotte.20 branchesDigital Inclusion Toolkit

Twenty-twoPosted by Ruben Campillo, former Digital Inclusion Fellow

Connecting more small businesses to superfast Internet

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

launchedunlock new possibilities

support teamsign upcheck their addressPosted by John Shriver-Blake, Product Manager, Google Fiber

Launching Google Fiber signups in Charlotte

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

announcedthree plansFiber Phoneone of threeCharlotte Fiber Space

https://fiber.google.com/cities/charlotte/plans/

Charlotte residents can pick from three speedy plans

new neighborhoodsApartment Finder

Charlotte's new installer vans feature artwork by local artist Jason Gammon

offering gigabit Internetdigital inclusion fellowsPosted by Mary Ellen Player, City Manager, Google Fiber Charlotte

Exploring Dallas for Google Fiber

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

San Antonio

stay in touchstream their favorite showsbest cities to work in techchecklistPosted by Jill Szuchmacher, Director of Expansion, Google Fiber

House Hunters: Fiber Edition

Monday, June 13, 2016

Ed. Note: Today, we have a guest post from Heather Burnett Gold, President of the Fiber to the Home Council Americas, and Michael Render, Principal and Founder of RVA, LLC. They are sharing the findings of a new research report on how access to ultrafast Internet can boost the value of multi-family homes.increasesa new studymounting evidence

Marketing: Fiber providers throughout the country—including Google Fiber—should continue to work with MDUs to advertise fiber to attract new residents. (Our findings show fiber is a word of mouth technology that can attract residents to properties.)

Access: MDU owners can assist by making buildings accessible while the fiber industry continues to make advancements in deployment methods and technologies that reduce any potential disruptions to residents.

Education: We at the Council will continue to work with our partners to promote the value of a future-proof technology that increases the attractiveness of properties in an increasingly competitive housing market.

Heather Burnett Gold is President & CEO of the FTTH Council Americas and Michael Render is Principal & Founder of RVA, LLC, Market Research and Consulting

Bringing Google Cast to Fiber TV: a new way to access thousands of apps

Wednesday, June 01, 2016

Google CastTMChromecast

help center

Digital Inclusion Fellowship applications open for second year

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Digital Inclusion FellowshipSusan ReavesNonprofit Technology Network (NTEN)opening applicationsConnectHomeBroadband

Applications are now open for 22 fellowship positions in community based organizations across 11 cities, including three new cities: Portland, OR, San Antonio, TX, and San Francisco, CA.

apply to the fellowshipPosted by Andrew Bentley, Digital Inclusion Program Manager, Google Fiber

Modernization of the FCC's Lifeline Program: a path to improving broadband access

Friday, April 01, 2016

more than a thirddigital inclusion effortscommunity impact workvoice service remains importantPosted by Staci Pies, Senior Policy Counsel

Exploring 1 billion times faster speeds

Friday, April 01, 2016

“If 1 GigaQuad (GQ) = 109 = 1,000,000,000 Quads, where one quad is 2 GiB or 8 x (2 x 109) x (109 x 109) = 1.6 x 1028 bits, what speeds would we need to send an animal, object, or person 60 miles in under 1.2 seconds?”

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Introducing Fiber Phone

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

many familiesFiber PhoneFamiliar features, improved Google Voice

Fiber Phone includes a Fiber Phone box that works with the phones you already own. Handset not included.

Stay connected, no matter where you are sign up here

Standing with Louisville

Friday, February 26, 2016

passedrulecommunitiesfiber buildersMayor FischerPosted by Chris Levendos, Director of National Deployment and Operations, Google Fiber

Serving San Francisco apartments and condos, using existing fiber

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

working with Huntsville, AL

San Francisco is the 22nd metro where we're serving customers, building networks, or exploring the possibility of bringing Google Fiber

iconic cultural centerscountless startupsdone beforeongoing effortsleading initiativesDigital Inclusion Fellowship

Digital literacy training coordinated by Kramden Institute, a Digital Inclusion Fellowship host

residentsproperty ownerswebsitePosted by Michael Slinger, Director of Business Operations, Google Fiber

Working with Huntsville to connect more people

Monday, February 22, 2016

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Huntsville will join 20 metros where we’re serving customers, designing and building networks, or exploring the possibility of Google Fiber.

shared their visionProvo, Utahexisting fiberhighest concentration of engineersSTEM workersgoogle.com/fiber/cities/huntsvillePosted by Jill Szuchmacher, Director, Google Fiber Expansion

An update on our work to help narrow the digital divide

Friday, February 05, 2016

commitment

West Bluff residents signing up for free gigabit Internet in Kansas City this week.

one-third of AmericansDigital Inclusion FellowshipKansas City Digital Inclusion FundCommunity ConnectionsConnectHomeHUDEveryoneOnUS IgniteNonprofit Technology Enterprise NetworkHousing Authority of the City of AustinHousing Authority of Kansas Cityour new community impact website
Posted by Erica Swanson, Head of Community Impact Programs, Google Fiber

Connecting public housing, at gigabit speeds

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

partneredConnectHomegigabit Internet service

Affordable housing residents can sign up for service using a process that makes it easier to bring the Internet home.

Housing Authority of Kansas City

A West Bluff resident and her son are among the first to receive gigabit Internet from Google Fiber at no cost.

Looking forward, we plan to bring gigabit Internet to select affordable housing in all of our Fiber cities. We’re working with local providers to identify which properties we’ll connect across these markets, and we’ll have more to share as we bring Google Fiber to these cities. Finally, inspired by the early success of our work with the Housing Authority for the City of Austin, we’ll be complementing this $0/month Internet service by working with local partners to make new investments in computer labs and digital literacy classes so residents learn the skills they need to get online.most expensivebiggest barriers
Posted by Dennis Kish, Vice President, Google Fiber

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