More than three years ago, Google Fiber launched its pilot program in a number of cities and metropolitan areas, bringing high speed internet and cable TV service to places like Kansas City, Austin and Provo. Now the company is testing out a landline phone service to go along with the already existing services, and complete the competition against cable and internet providers offering “Triple Play” options.
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Adding Fiber Phone requires a service visit from a Google Fiber employee and installation of a new piece of equipment. It sounds like Fiber Phone will wrap in some of the features of the Web- and smartphone-based service Google Voice.
Fiber Phone will feature “a phone number that lives in the cloud,” Google said. “With Fiber Phone, you can use the right phone for your needs, whether it’s your mobile device on the go or your landline at home.” There will also be voicemail transcription, spam filtering, call screening, and do-not-disturb. Customers can get a new number or transfer an existing landline or cell phone number to Fiber Phone.
Google considered offering phone service when it first launched Fiber, but the company decided not to go through with it because phone service faces additional regulations.
As Fiber extends to more cities, it should at the very least help to lower prices among cable TV and internet providers in those areas and a create a more robust competition to help the end consumer.