Google Fiber is inching ever closer to formal launch in Charlotte, announcing that it’s now accepting sign-ups for individuals and businesses in one neighborhood. Plus, GF unveiled business and other pricing plans.

So what about Google Fiber in the Triangle?

We keep getting hints and hearing scuttlebutt that sign-ups are drawing ever closer. But nothing firm as of yet.

Launch day must be near, however, as just last week Google announced its first two “tech partners” to help businesses deploy fiber networks.

GF announced the Triangle and Charlotte as fiber hubs in January 2015, and as WTW has reported, the Triangle network has slowly been taking root since earlier this year. (See links with this post for recent coverage.)

First neighborhood getting service in Charlotte is Highland Creek neighborhood. One of the Charlotte area’s largest developments, it sits along I-485 north of downtown between I-85 and I-77. It’s home to some 13,000 people, according to Wikipedia.

GF is offering residents three plans:

  • Fiber 1000 (gigabit speed) + TV at $130/month
  • Fiber 1000 at $70/month
  • Fiber 100 (megabits) at $50/month

Google also recently began offering phone service.

Addressing the digital divide

GF also is offering lower-priced plans as part of an effort to reach what it calls “digitally diivided areas.”

“As we connect Charlotte to Google Fiber, we’re also working to bring faster speeds to families who may not be online today. We’ll be introducing a Broadband plan that offers 25 Mbps for $15 a month to some of the most digitally divided areas that we serve, determined using data from the U.S. Census and Federal Communications Commission,” GF said in a blog.

“We’ll also be offering gigabit Internet at no cost to residents in select public and affordable housing buildings. These programs will build on existing investments, like our support of digital inclusion fellows at the Urban League, Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.”

Business offerings

Businesses can choose from three plans as well:

  • Fiber Business 1000 at $250/month
  • Fiber Business 250 at $100/month
  • Fiber Business 100 at $70/month

Business packages include a network box, WiFi and a firewall. Up to 13 individual IP (Internet Protocol) addresses also are available.

Triangle businesses can expect similar offerings.

“Small businesses in all of our Fiber cities will now be able to pick from speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. We’ve also increased the number of static IP addresses available to a business—up to 13,” John Shriver-Blake, Product Manager for Google Fiber, wrote in a blog post.

“And we continue to be committed to providing fast, reliable service tailored to the needs of small businesses. Our support team is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

GF also notes that it has opened a “Charlotte Fiber Space” in the Philip Carey Building where people can check out GF.

Posted by John Shriver-Blake, Product Manager, Google Fiber