Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

KC topics that don't fit anywhere else.

Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Currently have Google Fiber - 'free' 5M service
12
14%
Currently have Google Fiber - 100M or 1 Gigabit service only
17
20%
Currently have Google Fiber - TV + 1 Gigabit service
36
41%
Am in a deployed Google Fiber area but sticking with current or moving to other ISP
1
1%
Am in a planned area, intend to get Google Fiber
9
10%
Am in a planned area, sticking with current ISP
1
1%
None of the above/something else
11
13%
 
Total votes: 87

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normalthings
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by normalthings »

Roanoker wrote: Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:37 pm I spent more time with my problem and realized that my question was really what ISP should I change to. Apple TV and Roku expects you to already have an Internet service. (They apparently don't work with Google Fiber.) I came to the conclusion that I would stay with Spectrum. When I called to see if 1. I had to pay for the equipment they sent me (answer: no), and 2. Could I use my existing modem and router (answer: yes), I learned that my REAL ISP was Earthlink! I thought they had provided only my email account. Now that I am staying with Spectrum, I will achieve much faster speeds with the boxes that replace the digital ones AND I will get way more channels. I never record anything. What I pay for a month is $50 less, now that Earthlink is gone. Thank you guys for your input. I do appreciate it.
My bad for not picking up on that. Yes, Apple TV requires internet. I bought one when the Spectrum service agent came to my house to do a repair and told me the Apple TV would replace a set top box at my TV and save me money. I think Spectrum is $8 a month per box so you make your money back in about 1 to 1.5 years.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by Roanoker »

No, you were fine. You had to pick your way through all my words, and I hardly knew what I was talking about. You did help me get pointed in the right direction. Thanks much!
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by Sani »

I can't speak to Roku, but I have an Apple TV, and it works just fine with Google Fiber. What makes you think it wouldn't?
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by earthling »

In general, any Internet provider that can do at least 5Mbps can work with any streaming device, even 3Mbps is doable but won't be in HD. Would want at least 25Mbps for each 4K streaming device. That's per concurrent device that's streaming.

BTW, Google Fiber now offers 100M for $30. I think it was offered for 5M users only but think it's available to all now, not sure. But if you are on 5M, once you leave it, looks like you can't go back. Appears that 5M is no longer offered. A bummer because whenever I'd leave town long term, would switch to 5M service.

On a tangent, I have the major streaming devices and all are very good but if you are tied into an ecosystem would probably go with the respective device. That is Amazon Fire if subscribed to Prime and/or have Alexa devices, Apple TV if into Apple ecosystem (though it's pricey for many TVs), Google's new Chromecast with GoogleTV is pretty nice, a bit faster than Amazon Fire and better layout and Google Assistant/search is tops, in its own league.

Roku is a good simple starter device but the OS is getting dated and they are starting to turn into a CableCo with carriage fees for services and may struggle to get/maintain future services (it took a while to get HBO Max and Peacock). Same with Amazon. GoogleTV tends to get pretty much every service immediately. AppleTV used to lag with some services but seems to get some newest ones quicker than Roku and Amazon now. I don't have Tivo Stream but hear it's better than all into terms of picture quality, performance and features for $50 (based on GoogleTV, which used to be called AndroidTV).
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Roanoker
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by Roanoker »

Sani wrote: Sun Nov 22, 2020 2:39 am I can't speak to Roku, but I have an Apple TV, and it works just fine with Google Fiber. What makes you think it wouldn't?
Hi, Sani. That's why i said "apparently." I'm not as well equipped technically as you guys. The best I could do was to spend hours on the Internet, trying to figure out what would work best for me. Someone (don't remember where or who) said Roku and Apple TV didn't play nice with Google Fiber. Sorry about that.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by TrolliKC »

Roku works great with google fiber as well
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by Sani »

Roanoker wrote: Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:41 am Hi, Sani. That's why i said "apparently." I'm not as well equipped technically as youguys. The best I could do was to spend hours on the Internet, trying to figure out what would work best for me. Someone (don't remember where or who) said Roku and Apple TV didn't play nice with Google Fiber. Sorry about that.
No worries! The good news for you is that you should have no problem using whichever streaming service you'd like over a Google Fiber connection, so now you have more options to choose from.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by swid »

Google Fiber is dropping HBO from its lineup at the end of February.

Any guesses on how long it will be until we get the inevitable endgame of GFib's only 'TV' option being "if you want, here's a discount on YouTubeTV - enjoy!"? (Right now, I'm guessing by the end of 2022.)
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by TheSmokinPun »

I believe it's because HBO wants you to provide HBO Max now if you broadcast regular TV HBO & they're slowly closing it down. I just dread having to get my parents back to cable because my dad likes the flipping around aspect that you still can't really get with streaming.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by earthling »

^Several streaming services are cable like... YouTubeTV, Sling, ATT TV, Fubo, Hulu Live. I think ATT TV has the most channels but also at full cable rates. No cable box fees.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by TheSmokinPun »

We stream in our place but none of those offer the channel surfing aspect that he desires. If any of them could connect via your phone to a remote so he could flip like that, my life would become easier when the inevitable switch happens.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by normalthings »

TheSmokinPun wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:50 pm We stream in our place but none of those offer the channel surfing aspect that he desires. If any of them could connect via your phone to a remote so he could flip like that, my life would become easier when the inevitable switch happens.
If you have an Apple TV you can download the streaming app right to the TV. The new Apple TV remote is the best remote I’ve ever used for channel surfing.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by earthling »

Google Fiber now offers 2 Gigabit in KC for $100/month. Way more than most need but great for small biz and hardest core power users. I see it now as an option in my online account plan.

https://9to5google.com/2021/04/07/google-fiber-2-gig/
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by DaveKCMO »

earthling wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:35 am Google Fiber now offers 2 Gigabit in KC for $100/month. Way more than most need but great for small biz and hardest core power users. I see it now as an option in my online account plan.

https://9to5google.com/2021/04/07/google-fiber-2-gig/
We upgraded today. They have to replace all of your hardware, including the fiber jack. Took about an hour with some troubleshooting. If you're in a multifamily building you do not get the free extender, which is odd but whatever. The new router supports WiFi 6 -- of course you need devices that support that to get the higher speeds -- but it's better for dealing with lots of devices. We counted our devices today -- two smartphones, two smart watches, three laptops, iPad, smart weather station, printer, two streaming boxes, power window shades, smart thermostat -- it's starting to add up.

My 2015 MacBook Pro will now do 650mbps on a 5ghz connection when sitting near the router.

We had to return our old router into the Fiber store, which makes no sense. You can also mail it back.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by Major KC Fan »

We switched from Google Fiber for YouTubeTV for tv service and just keep Google Fiber for internet. All told saving about $75 a month and now very comfortable with the tv streaming service (YouTubeTV owned by Google too). We did pay a little extra for the Entertainment packega (have to have my HBO, Star, etc.).
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normalthings
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by normalthings »

DaveKCMO wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 2:54 pm
earthling wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:35 am Google Fiber now offers 2 Gigabit in KC for $100/month. Way more than most need but great for small biz and hardest core power users. I see it now as an option in my online account plan.

https://9to5google.com/2021/04/07/google-fiber-2-gig/
multifamily building you do not get the free extender, which is odd but whatever.
assume this has to do with wanting to avoid interfering signals within the building? it was something our techy friend brought up when we had him install a network for us. We connected our streaming boxes and desktops to ethernet and powerline adapters.

I think Powerline supports up to 500Mbps now. You just plug your wifi router into a wall socket and can use any other wall socket as an ethernet port via an adapter.(YMMV).


Edit: Google says you can get a 2000MBPS powerline adapter.
The TP-Link AV2000 takes the award for fastest power line adaptor, with a maximum speed of 2000Mbps
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... stM6UHcV21
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by beautyfromashes »

Their hardware is terrible! Replace their router with most any other over $100 and you'll double your speed immediately. The speed is only as good as your weakest point.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by earthling »

Have heard the new GFBR routers are much better, especially for the 2Gb service, but not as manageable as higher end consumer routers.

I'd be surprised if average households could stress their connection over 1Gb, 2Gb is overkill for most. Dave, is there something you're doing that stresses over 1Gbit? For biz and extreme power users it's great that 2Gb is now offered but for most households under 5 people, the $30 100Mb connection is probably good enough. The 100Mb can do up to 4 or so 4K streams simultaneously and still decent up/download speeds for large files/attachments. Can always upgrade connection to 1Gb easily online if needing more bandwidth. Most could start with lowest option and upgrade as needed.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by flyingember »

2gbit in a home is them preparing for 5-8 years out. If they don't start today they won't be ready when it's needed.

We frequently have 20 devices on 1gbit and don't notice a thing with bandwidth.
beautyfromashes wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:59 pm Their hardware is terrible! Replace their router with most any other over $100 and you'll double your speed immediately. The speed is only as good as your weakest point.
It doesn't work like that. You may get better performance if the router has bad software, but a new router won't turn my ~900mbit on 1000 connection into an 1800 connection.
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Re: Do you have or plan to get Google Fiber?

Post by beautyfromashes »

flyingember wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:02 am 2gbit in a home is them preparing for 5-8 years out. If they don't start today they won't be ready when it's needed.

We frequently have 20 devices on 1gbit and don't notice a thing with bandwidth.
beautyfromashes wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:59 pm Their hardware is terrible! Replace their router with most any other over $100 and you'll double your speed immediately. The speed is only as good as your weakest point.
It doesn't work like that. You may get better performance if the router has bad software, but a new router won't turn my ~900mbit on 1000 connection into an 1800 connection.
If you have a 1G wire going through a router that only allows half that, you're not realizing the speed you've paid for.
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