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Webpass, a high-speed wireless broadband service that Google acquired about a year ago is now officially available in six metropolitan areas. Google Fiber partnered up with Webpass to add wireless networking to Fiber’s repertoire, but Webpass is seemingly also launching as its own service, and Google’s blog post containing the announcement of expanded availability says that both Fiber and Webpass are going to continue expanding. Referring to the map below, Webpass is now available around the areas of Miami, Boston, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Webpass and Google Fiber will seemingly be working together to bolster each other’s capabilities in areas where their service territories intersect like they do in Los Angeles, while each service will also continue to expand on its own. Google Fiber’s expansion may be a bit slow due to a recent cut in staff and a temporary pause on rolling out new areas, but Webpass will continue to expand as the company sees fit, operating semi-autonomously from within Google Fiber. For obvious reasons, areas in which Webpass rolls out and does well could also become future Google Fiber areas. The map below shows all areas where Google Fiber and Webpass will be available in the near future and any other expansions likely won’t be coming anytime soon.
As a reminder, Webpass offers internet at up to gigabit speeds to multi-unit housing and office buildings using fixed wireless broadband standards, technology in the same vein as that which is helping to power some early 5G networks as carriers work toward a commercial rollout, though not all are embracing it. Prices can dip as low as $60 per month for unlimited bandwidth at gigabit speeds for qualifying multi-unit buildings. Google Fiber, on the other hand, offers gigabit speeds for $70 per month, with an optional cable TV bundle for $130 per month. With Fiber’s operations currently stalled and Google working closely with Webpass, Fiber’s pricing and availability may change in the near future, especially if the service does get its boost from the addition of wireless capabilities. In any case, more information on both services will likely be available shortly.
