AT&T Wireless to Compete With Google Fiber Ultra-Speed Internet Service With GigaPower
AT&T will start power boosting its Internet offerings soon. The company wants to compete with Google Fiber's ultra-speed Internet and will release its own ultra-speed service called GigaPower.
Fox News reports GigaPower will only be available in the Kansas City metro area during its initial release. The Internet speeds of GigaPower are up to 1 gigabit per second. That is almost 100 times faster than the Internet in most homes today.
The pricing for GigaPower will be identical to Google Fiber: $70 a month. But, Google Fiber has been around much longer in the Kansas City area, first wiring the service in 2011.
In the Kansas City area, AT&T said customers can begin signing up immediately for the service. They are guaranteed the price of $70 per month for up to three years but are only required to sign a one-year contract. AT&T will not immediately install the service -- it will take a few weeks or even months for installation.
"We're very pleased to be in the ballgame," said Mike Scott, the AT&T president for Kansas. "It's long overdue."
AT&T seems to be following Google's every move. The company first introduced its GigaPower in Austin, Texas. Austin is another Google Fiber city.
Users who are excited about AT&T GigaPower need to read the fine print. AT&T, unless a user opts out, will collect information on your browsing history as part of its Internet Preferences program, BGR reports.
"Using the IP address assigned to each GigaPower account, AT&T scans for your AT&T Internet Preferences election," AT&T explains.
"AT&T will treat your Internet browsing activity in accordance with your election. If you chose to participate in the AT&T Internet Preferences program, your Internet traffic is routed to AT&T's Internet Preferences web browsing and analytics platform. If you chose not to participate in the AT&T Internet Preferences program, your Internet traffic is not routed to the Internet Preferences analytics platform. AT&T may collect and use web browsing information for other purposes, as described in our Privacy Policy, even if you do not participate in the Internet Preferences program."
That all can be avoided by paying $29 more a month. Then, at least the user knows their information will not be sold to third-party advertisers.
Time Warner Cable, a big provider of Internet in Kansas City, has not been able to provide an ultra-fast web experience to match Google Fiber or AT&T's GigaPower. The company has increased its speeds a little without raising prices though.
What do you think of ultra-fast Internet like Fiber and GigaPower? Are they worth the extra money every month? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.
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