KCRag Forum

Makes me wonder if perhaps this is somehow related to providing WiFi for Google Fi customers so they are less likely to use the spectrum Google leased from AT&T and T-Mobile when "roaming"? No idea, but it seems to make sense.

Sprint struggles with building/tree penetration with 2.5Ghz (800Mhz is best, 1900 is just OK) so 3.5Ghz will be even less effective. Is possible they could use 3.5Ghz for phones 'where signal available' and rely less on other carriers for data in certain areas - but wouldn't be very cost effective to deploy city wide. Dense hotspots and sports/arts/convention venues would make sense for this but the sites would have to be fairly close given 3.5Ghz.

A potentially more effective use might be fixed wireless home broadband where fiber is difficult to deploy. Line of sight (LOS) deployment would give more distance in some cases - like rooftop or outdoor antenna on home that has LOS to a 3.5Ghz tower. Maybe part of Google Fiber service but an additional plan option that costs less than fiber to home.

Will be interesting to see what comes of this. Could be a combo of both.

BTW, Google Fi uses Sprint and Tmobile networks, not ATT. Google Fi apparently pays Sprint/Tmobile $2/GB.

I live in South OP and have been waiting to sign up for the last year. What is weird is Google Fiber is now being installed in our neighborhood (confirmed after talking to the construction crew) but we still cannot sign up online with Google. Is Google testing a new methodology for rolling out Google Fiber? Previously you had to have so many sign ups in your area (fiberhood) before they would begin infrastructure work......

cityscape wrote:I live in South OP and have been waiting to sign up for the last year. What is weird is Google Fiber is now being installed in our neighborhood (confirmed after talking to the construction crew) but we still cannot sign up online with Google. Is Google testing a new methodology for rolling out Google Fiber? Previously you had to have so many sign ups in your area (fiberhood) before they would begin infrastructure work......

They started work in my neighborhood in late 2013.
Signups were in early 2014 with a deadline of June 2014.
It's now February 2016. I still don't have service.

cityscape wrote:I live in South OP and have been waiting to sign up for the last year. What is weird is Google Fiber is now being installed in our neighborhood (confirmed after talking to the construction crew) but we still cannot sign up online with Google. Is Google testing a new methodology for rolling out Google Fiber? Previously you had to have so many sign ups in your area (fiberhood) before they would begin infrastructure work......

Same here in PV.

earthling wrote:BTW, Google Fi uses Sprint and Tmobile networks, not ATT. Google Fi apparently pays Sprint/Tmobile $2/GB.

My bad. You'd think I'd have that straight, being a Fi customer and all.

GF TV had an outage for a couple hours a couple weekends ago and giving free Showtime (all channels) for a month starting today, March 1. Looks like all content is available via On Demand so need to to DVR anything. All seasons of their shows are available via On Demand.

Updated comparisons of Google Fiber to other ISPs...

https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r30195 ... speed-ISPs

North KC has 'free' Gigabit that is now operated by Datashack. Fiber was muni built about 10 years ago with casino revenue and then City turned it over to 3rd party ISP to operate about a couple years ago, giving 'free' Gigabit to all NKC residents with $300 activation fee. In exchange, Datashack gets to use the network and charge market rate for businesses and I think city pays them about $100K/yr to maintain fiber.

Any NKC'rs here who have it? Am curious how it performs.

http://linkcity.org/residential/

Two bits of news on the Google Fiber front.

They are now offering phone service for $10/month - apparently for all areas currently served.

They have also split up the remaining portions of Johnson County into: East John County (signups in April 2016); North Overland Park; Central Overland Park; West Overland Park; and South Overland Park. (all but East are listed as "coming soon")

Comparison Guide...

Signups for East JoCo just opened today.

I'm still on the fence about GFTV. It doesn't seem to have a lot of fans.

GFTV not quite mature yet. It's fine but they changed some things around that annoyed many (removing network storage to view pics/videos from TV) and latest update has lag with the remote. Mobile viewing doesn't work away from home yet. And then many want AMC, which they don't have yet. It's not annoying enough for me to leave but GFTV is not as mature as others yet.

The picture quality is top notch though, the bitrate is higher than all others. And the mobile app is pretty good.

BTW, Google Fiber now offers 100/100M internet for $50/month in KC. You can easily change plan in account settings.

I'm not going to say that I love GFTV, but compared to Time Warner and Comcast I'll take it every time.

Yeah, the 'free' 5M service will no longer be available to order after May 19. For those who already have it, I think you get 7 years 'free' 5M from your install date. They have replaced 5M with free Gigabit for certain public housing only. And $50 100M is now available.

From the Google Fiber forums...

On May 19, we’ll also be introducing a new plan for the most digitally divided neighborhoods we serve on both sides of the state line. On the same date, we will no longer offer the Basic Internet plan to new subscribers. If you think the Basic plan may be the right for you, there’s still time. You can sign up until May 19.

Google Fiber to offer $15/month 25/25M service, no caps, no contract, no install fee, but only to low income areas.

https://support.google.com/fiber/answer/6389063?hl=en

http://www.kansascity.com/news/business ... 41667.html

Does anyone know what this is about?

http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/LiveWeb/Docum ... Spl9e0FaFY

I'm assuming an expansion of the public Google WiFi that was tested a while back?
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... in-kc.html

It could be for using wireless as an alternative to last mile Gigabit hookups for hard to reach places, which Google is said to be experimenting with in KC...

http://www.businessinsider.com/google-e ... ity-2016-2

http://www.telecompetitor.com/google-fi ... e-in-play/

KCtonic wrote:Does anyone know what this is about?

http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/LiveWeb/Docum ... Spl9e0FaFY

I'm assuming an expansion of the public Google WiFi that was tested a while back?
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... in-kc.html

More here from KC Star today...
http://www.kansascity.com/news/business ... 82332.html

Google officials planned a presentation for Thursday morning in front of a Kansas City Council committee. The company is asking for temporary, and discounted, permission to put antennas on city light poles and other structures downtown, on the Plaza, in Waldo, at 18th and Vine, at Zona Rosa, in Brookside, Westport and near Barry Road and Interstate 29.

KC's desire to become a 'living lab' for smart cities and public technology seems be coming to fruition on many fronts.