Google is getting serious about taking its gigabit internet service to new markets. Less than two weeks after it named Austin, Texas as the second Google Fiber city, and following another planned expansion to its existing service in Kansas, the company has now revealed that Provo, Utah is next on the list.
Unlike with Kansas City and Austin, where Google is building its own infrastructure from scratch, in order to bring Fiber to Provo the company has agreed buy an existing fiber-optic network owned by the city called iProvo and will upgrade it to deliver gigabit speeds. They also vow to finish the network’s half-done construction so that all ~120,000 people in this city 45 miles south of Salt Lake City are able to access to the service.
The acquisition deal isn't finalized quite yet as it’s pending a vote by the City Council scheduled for next Tuesday, April 23. But that shouldn’t be a difficult hurdle to clear considering the city has been looking for a partner that could acquire the network and deliver affordable service since 2011, due to a tightened municipal budget.
Google didn’t offer a specific time frame for the launch of Google Fiber in Provo, but said it plans to begin the network upgrades as soon as the closing conditions are satisfied and the deal is closed.
Plans and pricing should be similar as to what’s currently offered in Kansas City. That includes the option of free 5Mbps free internet service for a $30 activation fee and no monthly charge for at least seven years, as well as Gigabit Internet + TV for $120 a month or Internet-only for $70 a month.
