Google Fiber is coming to the Portneuf Valley
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CHUBBUCK — Google Fiber is coming to two cities in the Portneuf Valley.
Construction on fiber optic cables in Chubbuck started on Nov. 13 and in Pocatello at the beginning of this year. Officials say these cables will bring high speed internet to residents at an affordable price.
“Our high speeds really deliver a seamless experience for the customers,” said Ashley Church, General Manager of the West Region for Google Fiber. “When Google Fiber comes in, we see that prices drop and speeds increase.”
Google Fiber works by running fiber optic cables throughout the city all the way to a customer’s home. The cables provide internet access by transmitting data using pulses of light that travel across the cables.
“It has less lossage throughout the system and it ultimately is just one of the best in class and future proof products to deliver internet to the residents,” Church said.
Mayor Kevin England said Google Fiber began conversations with the city in January of this year to find out if it could bring it’s cables to Chubbuck.
“We’re excited to have (Google Fiber) be part of that process of providing internet services and other fiber services to our community,” England said.
England said with education and work becoming increasingly tied to internet connection, it’s vital for the city to have as fast of a connection as possible.
“The connections that we have fiber wise are vital for the growth of cities,” England said.
Google Fiber has four plans, 1 Gig, 2 Gig, 5 Gig and 8 Gig. Those go for $70, $100, $125 and $150 per month respectively.
For those who qualify for the affordable connectivity program, they can access the 300 Meg plan for $0 per month. They can also use the 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans for $40 and $70 per month.
As Google Fiber installs it’s cables throughout the city, they expect to let Chubbuck residents sign up for service on a rolling basis as cables get installed in their part of town.
They expect to let the first customers in both Chubbuck and Pocatello sign up for service in the first half of next year. Then in the first half of 2025, it’s anticipated that the majority of people in the cities will be able to sign up for Google Fiber.
To keep track of whether they are connected and have the ability to sign up, people can go to the website and click on check availability. From there, it will give them the option to put in their email and be notified when they’re connected to the system as well as to receive updates.
Church said Google Fiber intends to expand to as much of the city as they possibly can.
One of the limiting factors can be homeowners associations, apartment buildings or private streets, as they have to obtain rights to enter those areas. For people who that applies to and want Google Fiber, they should contact the owners or homeowners association and let them know.
Church spoke to how important fast internet is in the present day, and how important it is people have easy and affordable access to it.
“We’re really excited for them to be able to experience an internet that is affordable and seamless with great customer service throughout from end to end,” Church said.