Google Fiber is adding more communities to its Triangle network and in Charlotte, won’t be making any changes in its TV offering, and is stepping up its commitment to bridging the digital divide, a Triangle exec tells WRAL TechWire.

We caught up with Tia Bethea, community impact manager, Google Fiber for the Triangle, to get an update in its network. As Louisville joins the network this week and Google Fiber adjusts its product offerings in other markets as demand for streaming grows vs. TV bundles, Google Fiber says it is committed to growing its North Carolina markets.

Google Fiber recently celebrated its first “Fiberversary” in Morrisville and has recently expanded into some Cary and Durham neighborhoods. Earlier this year the fiber network was extended to Brier Creek and Raleigh’s North Hills. The expansion continues locally even as it pulls back on developments in other areas. In March, Google Fiber said it had reached nearly 500,000 people in various ways across the Triangle and in February noted that it was in the Triangle to stay.

Google Fiber’s latest market is Louisville where service has just been launched.

Triangle commitment

When asked is Google Fiber still committed to the Triangle and Charlotte in the wake of recent organizational changes on the corporate level at Google Fiber, Bethea responded:

“Google Fiber remains committed to bringing superfast Internet to Charlotte and the Triangle. We are signing up customers in new areas in both metros and expanding regularly. We continue to work to deploy our local network in more efficient, less intrusive ways, allowing us to learn and adjust over time to build the best possible network to serve residents and businesses throughout the Triangle.”

Google Fiber has said that overtime it would reach several Triangle communities, and Bethea pointed out “we continue to build out our network across the region.”

Proof is more areas being added, she noted.

“We recently opened sign ups for more neighborhoods in Raleigh and Cary, and offer service in parts of Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Morrisville currently. For the latest information about availability in your neighborhood, please join our email list at www.fiber.google.com/cities/triangle.”

Bethea wouldn’t provide details about where the network is going next.

“We’ve been bringing new neighborhoods online every month, as soon as construction is complete and they are ready for service,” she explained.

TV still part of offer

As for keeping TV as part of its service package, Bethea pointed out: “Google Fiber has no plans to change our product line-up in the Triangle (and Charlotte), which includes TV, home phone and superfast Internet.”

What about high-speed wireless broadband? The Triangle is supposed to be a test market for new technology Google Fiber wants to test, and in some markets it is offering Webpass, a high-speed wireless service through point-to-point technology. So anything new locally?

Bethea responded:

“We are constantly working to find ways to accelerate our network growth while reducing the disruptions associated with traditional construction.”

As for bridging the digital divide, Bethea said Google Fiber is making progress there as well. Read more about that in part two of this story on Friday.