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How Google Fiber keeps AT&T’s GigaPower pricing in-check

Published Mar 31st, 2015 9:00PM EDT
AT&T Gigabit Internet

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Much like in real estate, sometimes the price you pay for Internet service simply boils down to location, location, location.

Earlier this week, AT&T rolled out their gigabit Internet service in Cupertino, right in Apple’s backyard. Dubbed AT&T GigaPower, Ma Bell is offering blazing Internet speeds of 1Gbps for $110/month. Of course, if you just so happen to live in an area where Google Fiber is available, AT&T will lower the price to $70/month.

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The Verge reports that similar pricing discounts can be seen all over the map.

The same story seems to be true wherever you look. In Dallas, where AT&T’s headquarters are located, the company charges the full $110. In North Carolina, AT&T launched its gigabit service at $120 a month, but when Google moved in, it dropped the price to $70. This is not to mention that it’s also mandatory for AT&T users paying for the above mentioned gigabit speeds to sign up for “AT&T Internet Preferences” — a web monitoring service that collects users’ search and browser history in order to deliver targeted adverts.

Pricing aside, AT&T’s web monitoring service should certainly raise some eyebrows. Sure, Google’s bread and butter centers on user tracking, but there are a number of ways to keep Google’s eyes off of your browsing habits. If your ISP, however, is doing the tracking, well, that’s a lot more worrisome.

Yoni Heisler Contributing Writer

Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large with over 15 years of experience. A life long expert Mac user and Apple expert, his writing has appeared in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and TUAW.

When not analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys catching Improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions.