While most people are doing their best to afford ISPs and its exorbitant extra costs with little reward, Google Fiber has provided thousands with a cheaper and faster alternative. While the service is only in a few cities, Google hopes to expand their influence soon. However, AT&T has proposed an alternative that may help them compete with Google Fiber.
AT&T is bringing their gigabit fiber internet service to Kansas City, one of the key markets for Google Fiber. According to AT&T, the price is the same monthly as Fiber ($70) but offers a significantly higher download/upload speed than Fiber.
However, there's a catch-- any user who uses the service will have their web activity tracked by AT&T. If users want to stop AT&T from tracking their web activity, they will have to pay an additional $29 a month. People have expressed similar complaints about Google Fiber. However, Google stated in their rules that they don't track user's web activity. They do gather technical information from users that helps them manage any issues of security, maintenance or network support though.
This isn't AT&T's first attempt at a gigabit network. AT&T had launched the GigaPower service in Austin, Texas in 2013. That service also offered differing prices for users who were more protective of their data than others.
AT&T also plans to offer a package in Kansas City where users can get gigabit Internet and TV for $120 a month for the next three years.
