Google Fiber vs. Google Fiber Webpass: What’s the difference?

Google operates two different internet services. One is called Google Fiber, and the other is called Google Fiber Webpass.

Google Fiber is a standard residential internet service. If you live in an area where it’s available, it’s easy to sign up and install the service at your home. Google Fiber has superfast speeds, reasonable prices, and outstanding customer service.

Webpass is a bit different. It’s an internet service that is only available in specific buildings. Unlike Google’s fiber internet service, Webpass uses wireless technology to give users high-speed internet. You cannot sign up for Webpass unless it’s already in your building.

We’ll go over everything you need to know about both Google Fiber and Google Fiber Webpass in this article. But first, here’s a quick peek at the plans offered by both services.

Google Fiber is a high-speed internet service provider (ISP) that operates in over a dozen cities in the United States. It uses a state-of-the-art fiber internet network to deliver extremely fast and reliable internet.

Google Fiber is known for having reasonable prices, amazing customer service, and top-notch performance. Because it uses fiber-optic cables, Google Fiber’s download and upload speeds are breakneck, making it ideal for remote workers, online gamers, and other very online people.

Google Fiber isn’t the only fiber internet company in the game. There are several other major ISPs that operate fiber networks in certain areas, and some of them may offer better deals. 

Webpass was an internet company founded in 2003 that Google acquired in 2016. But it’s quite different from Google Fiber.

While Webpass has been incorporated into the Google Fiber brand, it actually doesn’t operate using a fiber-optic network. Instead, Webpass uses a point-to-point wireless network that connects to an antenna on top of specific buildings. Residents within these buildings can then pay to have their home or office wired into the network.

Webpass uses a technology similar to that used by 5G home internet services, like those run by Verizon and T-Mobile. The network sends information using millimeter wave signals, giving users internet that’s faster than many wired cable and DSL connections.

With Webpass, you can get speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps), which is plenty even for the most serious internet users. You can easily stream in HD on multiple TVs, play online games, and Zoom into a work meeting all at the same time with that kind of bandwidth.

Google Fiber and Google Fiber Webpass are small-time internet service providers, especially when you compare them to the big players like Comcast Xfinity or Spectrum.

Google Fiber is only available in about a dozen cities across the United States. Here’s the list of current places where it’s operating.

• Huntsville, Alabama
• Orange County, California
• Oakland, California
• San Diego, California
• San Francisco, California
• Atlanta, Georgia
• West Des Moines, Iowa (coming soon)
• Kansas City, Kansa
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• The Triangle, North Carolina
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Austin, Texas
• San Antonio, Texas
• Provo, Utah
• Salt Lake Valley, Utah

Google has talked about expanding its Fiber service in several new markets in the coming years, including cities in Idaho, Nevada, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Colorado.

Google Fiber Webpass is available in even fewer places than Google Fiber. Some notable cities it operates in are San Francisco, Oakland, Denver, and Miami. Check out this map for a full view of the cities with Webpass-connected buildings.

If you live in a city where Google Fiber Webpass has a presence but isn’t connected to your office or residential building, you can request the service on Google’s website.

Both of Google’s internet services are great internet providers. But with the limited availability and relatively high prices, they’re not the perfect option for every kind of user.

We recommend the ISPs listed in this chart if you want a cheaper internet plan.