MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Alphabet’s GFiber, the broadband provider formerly known as Google Fiber, has announced that it recently worked with Nokia to demonstrate network slicing.

Network slicing enables the segmentation of a customer’s home network into different “lanes,” each optimized for a specific use, the operator said.

The GFiber Labs demonstration used gaming as the test scenario. Two gaming consoles were operated side by side while congestion was introduced into the network using a traffic generator. As expected, the network experienced lag, stuttering and pixelation, GFiber said.

Then, a dedicated lane—or “slice”—was created to reserve bandwidth specifically for gaming traffic. The result: the driving game demo transitioned from jittery and glitchy to smooth and responsive.

In announcing the results, GFiber noted that in the long term, network slicing has the potential to significantly change how home internet functions, particularly when driven by user needs.

Traditional one-size-fits-all connections treat all traffic equally. However, internet usage varies: gamers prioritize latency, remote workers require video stability, home businesses depend on uptime and security, and emerging applications such as AI and VR may demand next-level performance. Network slicing could provide a way to improve network performance by enabling real-time customization for the individual needs of a household and its users, the operator explained.

This provides customers with the ability to tailor their internet connection to the categories of use that matter most in their homes. Rather than prioritizing traffic behind the scenes, this approach offers more control, flexibility and ways to achieve optimal performance when needed, GFiber said.

There is also potential for “transactional slices”—temporary, automated slices that activate for a few seconds to secure sensitive activities such as financial logins. These slices could connect users directly to services like banks without routing traffic across the broader internet, enhancing security without disrupting the user experience, the operator said.

Network slicing also represents the next logical step in GFiber’s service evolution, particularly for its lifestyle products—Core, Home and Edge—which are designed to align with the diverse ways people live and work. This new capability adds real-time customization and control at the network level.

However, further development, particularly in automation, is needed before network slicing can be deployed more broadly, GFiber said.

GFiber reported that it plans to continue its collaboration with Nokia later this year to explore implementation strategies.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Google Fiber (GFiber) has announced a redesigned app that the company said will simplify how customers set up service, manage devices, and keep tabs on their network.

GFiber said the app's redesign was shaped by customer feedback from user research and usability studies, which focused on making it easier, more intuitive, and delightful to use.

As part of the upgrade, GFiber has updated the user interface for a more intuitive experience that makes it simpler and easier to use. It has also introduced several new features, such as: greater visibility into home network performance, smarter device management, enhanced troubleshooting, and chat, content and video call support for customers.

Based on customer feedback, the app has added new features like video support, enhanced troubleshooting, and more visibility into network performance.

The redesigned app also makes it easier to find and access some of the most impactful features introduced over the past year. These tools not only improve internet performance but also provide greater transparency and control. Notable upgrades include:

• Setting up service. The GFiber App acts as a companion for a smooth setup experience right from day one. For in-home installs, technicians can help set up the app to optimize network performance. For customers who self-install, the app provides step-by-step guidance through every stage of the process — making setup simple and reliable, no matter how they get online.
• Technician Tracker. Once the technician is en route, customers can see the location and ETA, making service appointments more predictable.
• Network Health. Customers using supported GFiber routers can now access the Network Health feature, which provides a real-time assessment of speed, coverage, and overall performance. They’ll also get actionable recommendations for optimizing their connection.
• TechSee. Live video support gives customers the option to allow GFiber’s customer support agents see connection issues in real-time and provide troubleshooting help without an in-person visit.
• Speed Test. The app now provides more details about connections, including speed to one’s home (wired test) that measures the speed from the GFiber network to the router (available on select devices) and speed to one’s device (wireless test) that measures the speed from one’s router to the phone.
• Device Management. For customers with a GFiber Wi-Fi 6E router — included with all new GFiber lifestyle products (Core, Home, and Edge) — the GFiber App provides a clear view of network activity and options to personalize settings, giving them greater control over how they use their internet.
• See what’s connected. Check which devices are using the internet and view their Wi-Fi signal strength in real-time.
• Custom naming and grouping. Devices can be organized easily by what’s important to the customer (like kids’ devices or type of device).
• Pause schedules and access controls. Internet access can be scheduled or paused for individual devices or groups of devices as needed.
• Stronger security. Unknown devices can be easily blocked.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. —Google Fiber has announced that John Abbot has recently joined its team as the company’s first chief financial officer (CFO). 

In this role, John will oversee GFiber’s Finance, Strategy & Analytics, and Accounting teams, bringing over three decades of experience in media, technology, infrastructure, telecom, and finance to his role.

“John brings a wealth of experience as a CFO and deep industry knowledge to help guide GFiber during this pivotal time for our company,” said Dinni Jain, GFiber CEO. “He understands this business from many angles and his expertise at helping companies grow and scale along with his exceptional brand of leadership are exactly what we need to take the next step in our development.”

Prior to joining GFiber, John served in CFO roles for multiple companies, most recently Dataminr, a leading AI business. He also held these roles at Datto, which he led through their initial public offering, as well as at Cumulus Media, Telx Holdings, and Insight Communications. John has deep knowledge of the finance industry, spending time at both Morgan Stanley in their Media & Telecom group and at Goldman Sachs in their Global Energy & Power group. A graduate of the US Naval Academy, where he earned a BS in systems engineering, John also holds a Masters in Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Sling TV has gotten the thumbs up from Google Fiber, with the announcement that it is the latest streaming partner that is being recommended to Google Fiber TV customers.

Sling TV joins YouTube TV (owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet), fuboTV and Philo as being labeled preferred, affordable streaming options by Google Fiber.

One of the first live streaming TV options, Sling TV offers multiple subscription packages, starting at $30 per month. It reportedly has 2.46 million subscribers.

Google Fiber points to the move away from traditional TV and toward streaming options, citing how a little more than a quarter of homes have cut the cord, while about 78% have some type of streaming service. “Frankly, it’s been clear for a while now that the best TV is already online,” Google Fiber said. 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Google Fiber TV is fading away, as Google Fiber has announced that it will stop offering its linear TV product to new customers in favor of promoting online TV resources, including a new deal that allows customers to automatically sign up for fuboTV.

In a blog post, Google Fiber writes that “customers today just don’t need traditional TV,” and that all the content that they want to access is available online.

Effective immediately, Google Fiber TV is no longer an option for new internet customers. Current customers of the service will still be able to access the traditional TV service, but Google Fiber does say that it can help customers explore other options to make sure they have access to the programming of their choice.

One of these options is sport-centric streaming service fuboTV, which new customers can sign up for simultaneously when they join Google Fiber as part of a new partnership. In addition to sports, fuboTV also offers access to popular TV shows, movies and news.

This is the second streaming service that Google Fiber has partnered with, following a deal with YouTube TV in December 2019.

Customers are not required to sign up for either of these services, but can select any streaming service of their choice if they so desire.

For more information, visit fiber.google.com.