Update on Fiber Internet Availability: Will You See It in 2020?

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2020 is shaping up to be a major year for broadband. With 5G on the horizon, many big names in the telecom industry are rushing to be the first to bring newer, more efficient technologies to customers for a good price. But what about fiber-optic expansion? After all, it was only a few years ago that providers like AT&T and Google were also racing to build fiber networks and to deliver the blazing-fast speeds they can supply.

For those waiting on their fiber-optic internet option, here’s what you can expect from providers in 2020 and where they plan to break ground next.

AT&T Fiber

AT&T’s fiber network expansion is moving ahead of schedule since their 2015 DIRECTV acquisition and has successfully deployed fiber broadband service to 14.5 million customer locations. While the provider puts special focus on 5G expansion in the future, AT&T will slow their fiber expansion momentum in the coming year.

“Where we have fiber we’re doing exceedingly well. Where we have slower speeds, sub 40 megabits per second, that’s where the majority of our churn is. But right now, if you look at this year, we will add a million high-speed fiber broadband subs,” AT&T Communications CEO John Donovan described in a webcast at the 21st annual Credit Suisse Communications Conference.

AT&T Fiber availability

AT&T’s comprehensive coverage map can give you a look at every city where AT&T Fiber is available and some areas that’ll be available in the future. Here are a few major metropolitan areas where AT&T Fiber has limited availability so far:

Check out the AT&T Fiber availability map for a look at future serviceable locations coming soon.

Shop AT&T

Google Fiber

In 2016, Google Fiber was the name on the tip of everyone’s tongue and it was poised to forge the next great frontier in fiber internet service. At first the provider announced and executed ambitious plans to bring gig speeds to consumers at cable internet prices with “shallow trenching” technology. However, problems with the new Google Fiber 2.0 process forced Google to rollback service in areas like Louisville, Kentucky after a passive service deployment.

The Google Fiber team utilized a nanotrenching technique in Kentucky that allowed for faster and more affordable deployment. Unfortunately, that new method was to blame for many faulty installations around the Louisville area. For future expansions, Google Fiber has switched to a microtrenching technique which allows for a deeper and more secure install.

Google Fiber availability

Google Fiber is currently still operating in 18 major cities including:

Shop Google Fiber

Verizon Fiber

When Verizon rolled out its fiber optic broadband service in 2005, the provider was one of the very first to do so. Now, Verizon Fios is available in nine states across the U.S. and is one of the most reliable fiber-optic internet providers available. Fios has earned top marks from the American Customer Satisfaction Index since 2016.

In terms of their 2020 outlook, Verizon, like many other providers will double down on 5G expansion in new and existing markets along with the “continuation of the fiber build-out.”

Verizon Fios availability

Fiber-optic service by Verizon is currently primarily available in major metropolitan areas in Northeastern states like New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island. Here are a few more cities you’ll find Verizon Fios service:

Call now to speak to a member of the Allconnect team about Verizon Fios availability in your area today.

Shop Verizon Fios

Spectrum Fiber

Although Spectrum provides speeds up to 940 Mbps in select areas, the provider does not currently offer what would be considered traditional fiber-optic internet service. Spectrum uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial or HFC network to deliver high-speed broadband internet to 44 states in the U.S.

This kind of connection uses a fiber connection to establish most of the long-distance connection and then switches to cheaper coaxial cable lines to travel shorter distances within neighborhoods.

After raising the starting speeds in many Northeastern markets from 100 to 200 Mbps towards the end of 2019, it’s unclear whether or not Spectrum has plans to expand gig-speed services in 2020.