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Google may bestow Wi-Fi in its Google Fiber cities

As the 1-gigabit-per-second Internet service spreads to more US cities, it’s said the tech giant is also looking at possible Wi-Fi connections.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr
2 min read

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As Google lays the groundwork for its super-high-speed Internet service in various US cities, it's said to also be sniffing out possible Wi-Fi networks in those same locations, according to IDG News Service.

The tech giant is reportedly sending around a document to residents in 34 cities where it's considering setting up Google Fiber in 2015, according to IDG. The document does not lay out specific plans for Wi-Fi but does allude to the possibility of such a service.

Google wrote in the document that it will be "discussing our Wi-Fi plans and related requirements with your city as we move forward with your city during this planning process," according to IDG.

Google Fiber is the company's foray into fiber-optic Internet service -- it is said to have the capacity to carry data at 1-gigabit per second, which is more than 100 times faster than what most Americans currently have. The uber-fast service costs $70 per month and the Fiber TV service, which has Internet and 200 TV channels, is $120 per month.

Google Fiber launched in Kansas City in 2012 and has since been introduced in Provo, Utah, and is in development in Austin, Texas. Google announced in February that it's planning to bring the service to nine more regions in the US, which cover 34 cities.

While it's unclear if these cities will also get the benefit of Wi-Fi, it'll likely be an additional selling point to local governments to get the service installed.

When contacted by CNET, a Google spokesperson declined to comment on any Wi-Fi announcements.

"We'd love to be able to bring outdoor Wi-Fi access to all of our Fiber cities, although we don't have any specific plans to announce right now," the spokesperson said.

Updated April 25 at 9 a.m. PT with comment from Google spokesperson.