Now that we have seen the 4G LTE network roll outs come to a close for Verizon Wireless with AT&T right behind them, some are wondering what might be the next step in technology for internet providers. For months now, home Wi-Fi networks have been offering some of the fastest download speeds of all time and if your mobile phone is hooked up to one, you can attest to the super fast speed that may or may not be offered by your 4G provider. AT&T has always been one of the more technologically advanced companies when it comes to offering consumer services.
According to a new report from this week, AT&T is going to be the next company to offer gigabit internet and it will be doing so first in Austin, Texas. Gigabit internet is possible via fiber optic networks and Google has already started getting some cities like Kansas City hooked up with the fast internet. Texas will have the gigabit internet by the middle of next year while a 300Mbps tier should be available by the end of this year. AT&T claims that the gigabit internet will be the fastest in Austin when it launches next year.
The company’s gigabit internet is called U-Verse GigaPower internet and it will reach “tens of thousands” in the Austin area when it launches with addition coverage becoming available throughout all of next year. Google also mentioned that it will be bringing gigabit internet to Austin in the near future, but there have been no exact dates for that installment. Google, however has been working on getting gigabit internet installed in Provo, Utah. Google originally announced that Austin was going to be the second city that it connects via gigabit internet. No matter what company gets there first, it will be nice to know that consumers will see come healthy competition.
Whether or not you feel the need to go with Google when it arrives or AT&T when it launches next year, it looks like it will certainly come down to pricing. Google will be offering gigabit connections for just $100 per month and a 5Mbps connections for free. AT&T is not likely going to offer the same option, but with Google there it should be close in price in order to get any attention. The 300Mbps internet connection pricing was not mentioned either.
