Never afraid to mix things up with the ever-changing Google Fiber model, Google has picked its San Antonio launch to introduce several new changes. For starters, Google Fiber’s gigabit pricing has been reduced to $55/month, down from $70 in its other markets.
“There’s no installation fee, no hidden fees, no contracts, and no data caps,” Google Fiber boasts on a blog post announcing the changes. “Just super fast Internet service for less than the speed limit on I-35.”
In addition to new gigabit pricing, Google Fiber is also replacing its traditional pay TV service, with its OTT version YouTube TV. Google Fiber now entices new subscribers to add YouTube TV to their Google Fiber service by throwing in a complimentary NVIDIA Shield streaming media player, which features the so-called “Google-connected lifestyle.” It runs Android TV and is 4K capable.
A Google Wi-Fi router is also included in the new San Antonio Google Fiber offer, providing arguably a pretty compelling deal for a $55/month gigabit service. Google is getting good at featuring their various products and services with Google Fiber.
In San Antonio, Google Fiber does not feature a 100 Mbps tier, like is available in other markets at that $55 price point. It’s not clear whether these changes will be extended to all Google Fiber markets, just new markets, or only in San Antonio.
San Antonio is a competitive gigabit market, with both Grande Communications and AT&T offering gigabit services. But Google Fiber faces gigabit competition in other markets too. Perhaps this is a new strategy that will be extended footprint wide.
