Google Fiber to Build in Pocatello, Idaho

Google Fiber is planning to deploy service in Pocatello, Idaho, its first market in that state.

The company plans to begin deploying service this year. The first customers are expected to be connected in mid-2024.

“Pocatello is growing and reliable high-speed internet is not a luxury anymore, it’s an essential service for life today,” said Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad in a press release from the city. “This is a game changer and will have positive effects on our community and bring additional economic development.”

“We all know great things come from the ground in Idaho, and we’re looking forward to putting something pretty special in the ground there, too,” said Silvia Castro, Google Fiber Government & Community Affairs Manager, in a Google Fiber blog post.. 

No additional details were provided, but it’s likely that Google Fiber plans to offer service at speeds up to 8 Gbps, as it has begun to do in other markets.

After a period of inactivity, Google Fiber has been announcing fiber deployments quite frequently in recent months.

Pocatello is the seat of Bannock County. According to the city of Pocatello’s web page, the county’s population is nearly 89,000.

The city has seen considerable population growth in recent years, and at $56,000, the median household income is above the national average. Demographics like that make Pocatello the sort of market that is very attractive to broadband providers.