Google signs deal to buy, upgrade Provo city fibre network

Google has announced that it expects Provo, Utah, to be its third fibre city after Kansas City and Austin. The internet giant has signed an agreement to acquire iProvo, a fibre-optic network owned by the city. It plans to upgrade the network to gigabit technology and to complete network construction to enable every home along the existing iProvo network to connect to Google Fiber. The agreement with Provo awaits approval when the city council votes on 23 April. Google said it intends to start upgrading the network as soon as the deal is closed. The company plans to offer its free 5 Mbps service to every home on the network for at least seven years, provided they pay a USD 30 activation fee. The faster Google Fiber Gigabit Internet service and TV service will also be made available. Gigabit Internet service will be free for 25 local public institutions, such as schools, hospitals and libraries.