Google Fiber is coming to Bellevue and their timeline has been expedited thanks to a new partnership with ALLO Fiber.
Google Fiber (GFiber) has partnered with ALLO Fiber to build its network across the city. GFiber and Allo are currently in the planning process and intend to start construction this winter, with the goal of offering service to the first customers in the city by the middle of 2024.
Due to this new partnership, ALLO Fiber will not be building its own network in Bellevue, as previously reported. “ALLO Fiber is building the network for Google Fiber in Bellevue. Once the GFiber network is built, Google will maintain the network and serve customers in the city,” said Tanna Hanna, Director of Marketing and Social Media for ALLO Fiber. “ALLO will continue to build fiber networks in Papillion, La Vista, Ralston, and Gretna but we will not be building a fiber network in Bellevue now, or after completing the other Omaha markets.”
A Nebraska-based company, ALLO Fiber has connected residents in the state for 20 years, and is ready to hit the ground running. Allo’s presence in the state is the main reason why the timeline has been moved up. In fact, Bellevue’s installation will tie with Mesa, Arizona, to match GFiber’s fastest time from announcement to construction.
“GFiber is thrilled to expand our offerings of reliable, high-speed internet to Bellevue. We plan to serve our first customers in the area around the middle of next year.” said Rachel Merlo, GFiber Head of Government and Community Affairs – Central Region.
GFiber offers 1, 2, 5, and 8 Gigabit service plans with no data caps and no installation fees. They also provide all of the hardware needed to connect. Depending on the level of service, routers and mesh wifi extenders are included as well with no monthly charges. Current pricing is $70 a month for 1 gigabit download speed, $100 for 2 gigabit, $125 for 5 gigabit, and $150 for 8 gigabit.
GFiber provides full technical specifications here. Bellevue residents interested in updates and to see when GFiber will be available in their neighborhood can sign up here.
As previously reported in the Bellevue Times, allowing GFiber to build its network in Bellevue was a difficult choice for the City Council after a variety of complaints flooded city hall this past year during Fastwyre’s fiber network installation. However, more high-speed internet options have been something many residents have asked for over the years, hoping to get better connection speeds at lower prices, especially with more people working from home over the past few years.
A video of the city council discussing this matter can be viewed here. The discussion regarding Google Fiber is item 16E and begins around the 1 hour, 44 minute, 18-second mark.
