Provo Next to Get Google's Gig

Google revealed Wednesday that Provo, Utah will be the next city to get its gigabit fiber service. What's different this time is that the search giant isn't building the service out from scratch. It was has bought an existing network in Provo to base the service on, Kevin Lo, general manager of Google Fiber, writes in its fiber blog:

In order to bring Fiber to Provo, we’ve signed an agreement to purchase iProvo, an existing fiber-optic network owned by the city. As a part of the acquisition, we would commit to upgrade the network to gigabit technology and finish network construction so that every home along the existing iProvo network would have the opportunity to connect to Google Fiber. Our agreement with Provo isn’t approved yet -- it’s pending a vote by the City Council scheduled for next Tuesday, April 23. We intend to begin the network upgrades as soon as the closing conditions are satisfied and the deal is closed.

Google says it will offer a free service -- offering 5Mbit/s with a $30 initial sign-up fee -- to every home along the existing Provo network "for at least seven years" as well as Google Fiber Gigabit Internet and Google Fiber TV service options. Google has started its fiber service in Kansas City and plans to introduce services in Austin, Texas, in mid-2014. Google charges subscribers $70 a month for the 1 Gbit/s broadband and $120 per month if they add the TV option. — Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile