Google today confirmed that it will roll out its super-fast gigabit Internet service in 18 cities across four metro areas: Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham.
The cities are among the 34 that have been working with Google over the past year to see if it made sense to deploy Google Fiber. The search giant was scheduled to pick its new Google Fiber cities by the end of 2014, but delayed that decision because it had "a bit more work to wrap up."
Google, however, said today that "now the really hard work begins."
"Our next step is to work with cities to create a detailed map of where we can put our thousands of miles of fiber, using existing infrastructure such as utility poles and underground conduit, and making sure to avoid things like gas and water lines," Dennis Kish, vice president of Google Fiber, wrote in a blog post. "Then a team of surveyors and engineers will hit the streets to fill in missing details. Once we're done designing the network (which we expect to wrap up in a few months), we'll start construction."
Google isn't stopping with the southeast, though. It is still thinking about bringing Fiber to Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and San Jose. "[Expect] updates on these potential Fiber cities later this year," Kish wrote.
Last year, the San Antonio City Council signed an agreement with Google that would allow the company to deploy "network huts" on city property in order to facilitate the rollout of gigabit Internet. It does not mean that Google Fiber (or AT&T U-verse with GigaPower for that matter) is a done deal in San Antonio, but allows for a faster rollout if Google gives the rollout the OK down the line.
Google Fiber is already deployed in Kansas City, Austin, and Provo, Utah.
Kish noted that President Obama called for faster Internet in his State of the Union, and argued that "communities across America are demanding more speed for their own homes and businesses, and we're going to keep doing our part to help."
Google Fiber costs about $70 per month, or $120 bundled with TV service. There's also the option for free 5 Mbps Internet if you pay the $300 installation fee.
For more cities with gigabit Internet, see the slideshow above.