Google is bringing their super fast Google Fiber Internet service to another major city in the U.S. After first launching the 1 Gbps ISP in the Kansas City Kansas/Missouri metropolitan area in November 2012, the company announced today it would bring those same speeds to Austin, Texas.
In a post on the Google Fiber blog, the company said it would start connecting the first homes in the Austin area sometime in mid-2014. As with its Kansas City operation, Austin residents can also choose to sign up for Google Fiber"s cable TV-like services, which will include a DVR and a Nexus 7 tablet that will serve as a remote control.
Pricing for Google Fiber in Austin has not been announced but Google says the prices should be similar to those in Kansas City, which gives those customers 1 Gbps Internet speeds for just $70 a month. Adding the TV package increases the price to $120 a month, not including premium pay cable networks.
Google will also offer Austin residents a way to get free Internet in their homes, with speeds of five Mbps, if they pay for a one time construction fee. Google also plans to connect schools, hospitals, community centers and other public places with 1 Gbps speeds for free.
Update: AT&T has also announced that it plans to offer its own 1 Gbps service in Austin, Texas, but details of those plans have not been announced.
Source: Google Fiber blog