Google Fiber: 5 Gbps and 8 Gbps services coming early next year

Google Fiber will launch symmetrical 5Gbps and 8Gbps service starting in early 2023, the company said.

Consumers who sign up now will be able to try out the new service starting next month. A Google Fiber blog post notes that Utah, Kansas City (the original Google Fiber city), and Des Moines are early test sites.

Google says full commercial availability will begin early next year, though it didn't detail specific markets. Both speed options will come with a Wi-Fi 6 router (though users are free to use their own), two mesh extenders, and professional installation. The service will cost $125 per month for 5 Gbps service and $150 per month for 8 Gbps service.

Google Fiber says it's "committed" to offering the service without contracts, data caps, or installation fees. However, the wording sounds more like an intention than a commitment.

The post says the 2Gbps service will likely be sufficient for gamers and power streamers. The faster service is targeted at creative professionals, those who work in the cloud, have large data sets or require minimal latency, such as financial professionals executing trades.

The company is also working towards a 20Gbps service.

While we can’t predict the future, we believe we’ll see video quality like never before, virtual experiences that seem real to the touch, games that play as fast as you play them, (and who knows what else?). “This vision starts with our commitment to delivering exceptional internet,” said Amalia O’Sullivan, director of product management for Google Fiber, in a blog post. “With the help of our content partners and device manufacturers, we’re excited to bring the next generation of internet experiences to Google Fiber customers.”

Last month, Google Fiber CEO Dinni Jain wrote a blog post in which he argued that the future is about faster symmetric multi-gigabit speeds and superior customer service.

Google Fiber is also apparently in expansion mode after a period of calm.