Google Fiber won’t be offering its “free” Internet access in Kansas City anymore. The change was noticed over the weekend by Re/code, and now is being pointed out by other publications, including the Kansas City Star. The plan wasn’t ever actually free, but the cost was very low — a $300 construction fee that could be paid all at once or by 12 monthly installments of $25. That got customers up to 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.
Perhaps a bit plodding for some users, it was a bargain compared to other options, of course. The lowest pricing listed on Google Fiber’s K.C. site is now $50/month for up to 100 Mbps upload and download speeds, and no data caps.
Subscribers who had previously signed up for the “free” deal can keep it, according to a report in the Kansas City Star.
Google Fiber does offer its gigabit fiber product into some homes of low-income residents in Kansas City free of charge. In a blog post by the company in February about that project, it did suggest that some changes were afoot for its lower-cost options.
“In addition to bringing free gigabit Internet to select public housing, we’ll introduce a new affordable Internet option in some cities — a low-cost broadband connection that’s fast enough to make video calls and stream HD content. And by offering upload speeds that match download speeds, people will have the opportunity to become web creators and truly make the most of being online,” the blog says.
