Google Fiber vs AT&T Fiber : Quick Comparison
Internet access has become vital for homes and companies from across the globe due to the presence of high-speed connections. From work, school, streaming, gaming, etc., most of these activities have had to be done online, and hence the need for fast and reliable internet connection. Copper networks use wires made from copper while fiber internet uses fiber optic cables making it some of the fastest internet connections available today.
Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber are two of the fiber internet service providers in the United States of America. There are no significant differences in the download and upload rates of a gigabit connection, and the main focus is given to the cost. This article will compare the two with a view of assisting people in identifying which option might be the most suitable for them depending on the region they work in or the facilities that are available to them.
Google Fiber vs AT&T Fiber: Quick Comparison
Speed Tiers
Google Fiber and AT&T fiber in terms of their upstream and downstream speeds are in most cases quite alike. The speed tiers available from both providers include:
Google Fiber Speeds:
- Gigabit: Download and upload speed of 1,000 Mbps
- It can also be observed that no other speed tiers
AT&T Fiber Speeds:
- 1 GIG: Bandwidth: Up to 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps download & upload
- 300 Mbps
- 100 Mbps
Primary, AT&T Fiber also provides symmetric gigabit speeds as Google Fiber in its basic 1 GIG plan. The first one is that AT&T is offering 100 Mbps and 300 Mbps speed plans to users who do not need a gigabit connection. Google Fiber now only provides a one-speed Internet connection at 1Gig which has no slower counterpart.
Pricing
When it comes to monthly pricing, Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber have some differences:
Google Fiber Pricing:
- Gigabit: $70/month
AT&T Fiber Pricing:
- 1 GIG: $60-80/month
- 300 Mbps: $55/month
- 100 Mbps: $45/month
Also, AT&T Fiber has the upper hand in terms of pricing for it offers various packages based on the speeds provided, unlike Google Fiber which offers only the gigabit package. AT&T offers its basic gigabit 1 GIG plan, LAN, at a lower price of $60 per month for the first month and $80 per month later. In conclusion, the standalone gigabit service being offered by Google Fiber is approximately $10 cheaper than the regular price of AT&T Fiber.
Both of these ISPs also provide extra bundle deals depending on whether you have another service such as a TV or a mobile from the company.
Availability
To give a brief comparison between the two internet service providers, the main difference is that Google Fiber is available in some regions only, while AT&T Fiber is available in others. Google Fiber is currently available in only some of the selected metro cities whereas AT&T Fiber is more easily accessible but primarily in the south and midwest regions.
Google Fiber is currently present in parts of these metro areas:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Kansas City includes both Kansas and Missouri states in the United States of America.
- Nashville, TN
- Orange County, CA
- Provo, UT
- Being in the Great Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
Still, AT&T Fiber is available in over 160 metro locations across 21 states. They are mainly located in the southern part of the United States; including Texas, Alabama, and Florida. Key metro regions with AT&T Fiber include:
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Nashville, TN
- Kansas City, MO
In terms of options, availability will become a key differentiating factor between Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber. Google Fiber is more limited at the moment and is only available in a few cities whereas AT&T has significantly more expansive fiber internet coverage.
Reliability
Fiber internet often provides a very stable connection and it is due to the technological advantages of fiber cable. The two providers are Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber, both of which offer very high uptime to their customers once connected.
Outage stats for the providers are very comparable:
Google Fiber:
- Customer availability per year: 525600 – 90 = 525510 minutes Average customer downtime per year = 15 minutes
AT&T Internet:
- Frequency of customer outages per annum – 7/60
Such industry-leading reliability indicators suggest that if you choose either of the ISPs you are likely to experience little to no downtime issues. End-to-end uptime will depend upon the geographical locale and the type of network configuration setup.
Installation Process
The installation process for Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber has some variances:
Google Fiber Installation:
- Self-setup options available
- Professional installation optional
- Another advantage is the ability to schedule visits through the account portal.
AT&T Fiber Installation:
- Professional installation required
- Appointments made through the phone
- Time is usually limited to appointment times.
Google Fiber has less professional installation than AT&T Fiber having a more customer self-service setup to getting Fiber installation. Less flexible in conducting the setup appointment: This is one area that can see AT&T’s process that is not quite as flexible as one might expect.
Local incentives and promos
Since Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber operate in many of the same metro areas, local promotions are common incentives to switch providers:
Google Fiber Promotions:
- $50-100 of the prepaid card when you sign up in certain locations
AT&T Fiber Promos:
- Activating Reward Cards: Receive up to $200 in Reward Cards for use in certain neighborhoods.
- Offers triple-play services including the internet, television & wireless.
One may try to find out whether either of the ISPs is presently offering a promotion in your area that could provide cash-back offers or lower monthly charges. It can also create an incentive for one to offer sign-ups for a longer period than the other.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber are virtually identical in the broadband internet speeds and fiber optic technology on which they are based. Now, if we take into account the availability of the service in more locations across the country, then the winner here would be AT&T Fiber. However, where Google Fiber ventures, it is cheaper for gigabit-only speeds, at least in the LFiS case.
Therefore, in most households, fiber internet availability will have to do with the affordability of the product. I can assure you, however, that both Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber offer tomorrow’s internet speed on the fiber-optic network that can handle all your home connectivity needs.