Google Fiber's next stop: Austin, TX

Also some cities have gotten tired of waiting for big telcos to do something or for Google Fiber to finally roll out to their area and so they've set up their own municiple gigabit speed systems. Sadly, those ones are not free unlike Google Fiber.

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterpris...medium=RelatedLinks&utm_campaign=MoreRecently

I have much fewer problems with a local initiative than I do a state or Federal initiative - in small towns at least. Small = accountable.

You do not get a gigabit connection for free. The free internet is 5 Mps which no one in their right mind will use when they can pay $70 and get 1 gigabit speed. It's like the difference between a man crawling on all fours and a man in a rocket.

And the reason they can offer Provo for a $30 activation fee for the free internet version is that the city is already set up. Google is trying to buy the system.

Of course if you get Google Internet with or without the TV part there is no activation fee at all.

There are plenty of people who spend way less time on the internet than us that would be very happy with a free 5 Mps connection. We've been talking about Google Fiber's arrival at work and quite a few people at my office can't wait for their free connection. I will be getting the internet and tv package, but I'm actually in the minority of people that I've talked to in Austin.

This is so valuable for google. They're going to mine the piss out of this.

5 MPS just isn't fast enough.

Plus it's only for seven years.

I can't understand anyone who would take the free internet when they have an opportunity to kill their TV bill and phone bill.

Because they can't afford it?

I doubt the people working with Tex can't afford it.

That's the only group of people we are talking about.

My first comment was about people everywhere. But the 2nd comment was about people in my office, all of which could afford it because they're paying for internet now. Some people are just cheap, don't underestimate that.

Or they don't feel like they need much more.

Vermonters getting it for half the price Google charges.

I think this almost makes up for all the evil Google does.

Heh. I just speed tested my connection. 1.2Mbps. That isn't terribly annoying but I'd like it faster.

There is ton's of old infrastructure from a looong time ago. For example, the Memphis zoo just replaced its original telecom infrastructure from the early 1900's a couple years ago. They were able to let go half their tech support staff at that point.

I'm paying $20 a month for 6 Mbps through AT&T. I'd be thrilled with a free 5 Mbps connection from Google!

5 Mbps is more than enough for me to stream HD movies.

Omaha getting gigabit. As are two more cities in Kansas. [-]Buttfuck[/-] Tullahoma, TN is getting it as well.