Google and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are partnering to bring the Internet giant’s Fiber Internet service to public and affordable housing projects.
The plan falls under the ConnectHome initiative organized by HUD and the White House, which is looking to get Internet access to more families and school kids in projects spread across 27 communities. Google’s efforts will initially be limited to locations in Atlanta, Durham, Nashville, and Kansas City, but the ultimate aim is to cover every Fiber market.
As well as providing zero-cost Internet service, the project will also offer computer skills training labs.
Google says the rollout is due to the success it has had with a similar program in Austin, Texas, one of the company’s first Fiber Internet markets. The company collaborated with that city’s Housing Authority, as well as various local and national organizations, to offer both free Internet and digital training.
“HACA residents have embraced this program. At Manchaca Village, the first public housing property we engaged, over 90% of residents signed up for service, and more than half of the residents completed digital literacy training. With support from local organizations and city leaders, we hope to see this same kind of success across the country.”
Google’s Fiber Internet is usually offered under three pricing tiers:
- A basic 5 megabits-per-second option is free, following a $300 installation fee.
- A gigabit-per-second connection, which carries no installation fee, but runs $70 per month, (with a required one year contract).
- An Internet/TV bundle which offers gigabit Internet and a 150+ package of television channels for $130 per month.
