Following Google Fiber, York County attracts another high-speed internet provider
Rock Hill and other parts of York County will soon have another high-speed internet option.
Gigapower announced on Wednesday expansion of fiber internet into those areas. It’ll come through AT&T Fiber, and promises faster upload and download speeds than cable or other forms of service.
Here are four things to know about the new option:
What is Gigapower?
A joint venture of AT&T and asset management company BlackRock, Gigapower builds and runs fiber networks across the country. Internet providers can access the commercial wholesale platform for their own services. The AT&T setup has been available for several years in Charlotte, and Gigapower announced expansion plans not only into Rock Hill and greater York County but also Monroe, Weddington and greater Union County in North Carolina.
What is fiber internet?
Fiber optic internet uses light waves and bundled-together glass fibers to move information. It allows for speeds faster than cable or DSL connections. AT&T Fiber has upload and download speeds of up to 5 Gbps, or gigabits per second, according to the company. The higher the number, the faster the speed. Fiber speeds at 1 Gbps, or 1 Gig, have upload speeds 25 times faster than cable, according to the company.
Growth in Rock Hill will add to area fiber options, after Google Fiber announced last fall it would expand into Tega Cay. Network construction is underway now.
Can my house get fiber Internet?
Customers can enter their addresses at att.com/internet/availability to find out if they are eligible for AT&T Fiber, or sign up for updates from the company on when fiber service will be available. The company lists services in Lake Wylie, Clover, York and Sharon. It doesn’t list the two largest municipalities in York County, Rock Hill or Fort Mill. In Tega Cay or surrounding areas, potential customers can check availability of Google Fiber at fiber.google.com.
How much does it cost?
Wednedsay’s announcement of AT&T Fiber expansion into Rock Hill didn’t list a cost. In the four York County communities already with service, prices range from $55 to $80 a month. That highest price is for 1 Gig speed. For comparison, Google Fiber advertises costs from $70 a month for 1 Gig to $150 a month for 8 Gig. The 5 Gig option is $125 per month.
