Google Fiber Update

Checking in with Google Fiber: Where (and when) will the first "fiberhoods" launch?

There has been a lot of speculation, but little actual news, since it was announced that Google Fiber would be coming to Austin in mid-2014. The high-speed internet service, which is being touted as "100 times faster than today's average" is currently available in Kansas City, Missouri and Provo, Utah.

While Google has been working to build the infrastructure to get Austin ready for Fiber, Austinites have been clamoring for more information. On Thursday, Redditor psdtwk posted a map with the locations of Google's permits currently on file with the City of Austin. With all construction currently occurring south of Lady Bird Lake, it seems the tech giant is favoring South Austin neighborhoods, leaving our downtown tech hub — not to mention the University of Texas at Austin — Fiber-less.

"We're making good progress, and we're working hard to bring Austin residents Fiber as quickly as we can," says Jenna Wandres from Google.

Not so, says Google's Senior Communications Associate Jenna Wandres. "The map is just indicative of the construction we're doing over the next few months, but our service area will definitely not be limited to the areas on this map," Wandres tells CultureMap. "Neighborhoods throughout the Austin city limits will have the chance to get Fiber."

Mark Strama, the former Texas representative who left politics to head Google Fiber in Austin, also emphasized plans for citywide "fiberhoods" on his blog. In November, Strama wrote, "When I first walked into the Google Fiber office, I was surprised by what I found: walls papered with maps of Austin, construction plans for every single neighborhood and a big team of engineers who knew the Austin area better than I."

Today, Google Fiber is remaining focused on building the Fiber infrastructure in Austin. Wandres points out that in Kansas City, the technology giant had to install more than 6,000 miles of fiber before getting the city online. "We're making good progress, and we're working hard to bring Austin residents Fiber as quickly as we can," she says.

So what can we expect when Austin finally gets Fiber? Current rates in Kansas City and Provo price services at $120 per month for Gigabit and television, $70 per month for Gigabit service or $0 per month for basic internet service at basic speeds (though, it should be noted, in order to receive the free service residents pay a one-time $300 construction fee).

As for meeting that mid-2014 roll out deadline? Google is staying mum on an actual date, saying only that it's working hard to get the first Austin customers online this year.

Google Fiber should be available in Austin soon.

Google Fiber Google

Google Fiber should be available in Austin soon.

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Self-driving Roller Coaster

More self-driving cars expected to roll out in Austin for 2025

Photo courtesy of Waymo via KVUE

Various brands offering self-driving cars are on-and-off in Austin.

Expect to see more self-driving rideshare vehicles, also known as robotaxis, on Austin roads next year.

Robotaxi company Waymo, which you may have already seen on Austin's roads, is partnering with Uber. At some point next year, customers will be able to use the Uber app to call a self-driving ride.

Austin-based company Avride is in the testing phase and plans to roll out its robotaxis next year.

Currently, Volkswagen ADMT and Amazon's Zoox are in the testing phase in Austin, while Hyundai's Motional is in the mapping phase.

Last year, robotaxi company Cruise paused operations in Austin after the California Department of Motor Vehicles revoked the company's permits to operate driverless vehicles in the state. And last week, General Motors said it would no longer fund the company because of the time and resources needed.

This way of getting around has come with its safety concerns and issues. The city is tracking those concerns. According to the Transportation Department, the problems span from blocking the roads and parking in front of people's homes for weeks with lights beaming through their windows, to actual wrecks.

Since July 2023, robotaxis have been involved in 75 incidents. Only 21 of those incidents happened in 2024. It's important to note that Cruise has not been operating in Austin this year.

Since July 2023, driverless rideshare vehicles have been involved in 22 near collisions, eight collisions and seven instances where driverless taxis ignored directions from the Austin Police Department (APD).

According to the data, at least four of those Austin police incidents happened in recent months. The issues varied from driving through police checkpoints, to malfunctioning and getting stuck at an APD road closure near pedestrians, causing safety concerns.

A Waymo spokesperson said their vehicles have gesture recognition capabilities, which they've been training APD officers on using.

As the report shows, sometimes it does not work and Waymo said it is working to improve that. The spokesperson said that as of just last week, Waymo's First Responder Program has been independently verified by TÜV SÜD, making Waymo the first autonomous vehicle (AV) company to receive third-party validation for our emergency response protocols. They also said the data to date indicates the Waymo Driver is already reducing traffic injuries and fatalities in the places where the company currently operates.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

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