Case Study
How Google Fiber has Elevated Connectivity using Speedtest® Data
“By leveraging Ookla’s data, we can understand the speeds our customers are actually experiencing in their own homes, with their unique setups and combination of end-user devices. This helps us deliver the high-speed internet we promise and continue to set the standard for network performance.”
Fiber internet has transformed connectivity in the U.S. — enabling faster, more reliable internet access for users in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Google Fiber is a U.S. internet provider that uses fiber optic technology to deliver superior speeds to its expanding list of markets.
GFiber is dedicated to delivering the best internet service nationwide, aiming to provide all of its fiber customers - regardless of location - with ultra-fast speeds of up to 8 Gbps over state-of-the-art infrastructure that ensures consistent, high-performance connectivity across all markets. This applies to established markets as well as new areas where GFiber is expanding. GFiber utilizes Speedtest data to validate actual speeds its customers experience given their individual real world environments, which helps with the delivery of exceptional services.
Situation
GFiber is rapidly expanding its fiber network into new markets, with a strong focus on ensuring they offer market-leading speeds from day one. Upon entering a new market, a critical goal for GFiber is to drive meaningful advancements in speed and service quality for users in the area.
GFiber needed a reliable way to confirm whether their efforts were delivering significantly faster download and upload speeds, better latency, and an enhanced quality of service—not just to exceed customer expectations, but to elevate the overall market standard.
Case Study: Impact of Entry on New Markets
In March 2023, GFiber entered the Mesa, AZ market, utilizing Speedtest data to help assess strengths, identify weaknesses, and prioritize areas for improvement. By leveraging this data, GFiber was able to measure real-world speeds, proactively resolve network issues, and optimize its service to ensure superior performance.
Speedtest data shows that the median download speeds for all providers combined in Mesa, AZ, showed noticeable and sustained increases following GFiber’s entry into the market. Download speeds increased by nearly 50% in only a year after GFiber launched in Mesa. This steep rise correlates directly with GFiber’s entry into the market, which not only provided faster speeds to its customers but also compelled competitors to raise their own standards in an effort to keep pace.
GFiber’s strategic use of Speedtest data allows them to maintain a competitive edge, continually enhance their network, and elevate overall market standards for performance wherever they expand.
Case Study: Elevating Speeds in Existing Markets
GFiber’s approach to maintaining top-tier speeds extends beyond new market entries like Mesa, AZ; it also includes ongoing performance monitoring in established markets. For example, GFiber has been serving Salt Lake City since 2016, and through ongoing monitoring and network optimizations informed by Speedtest data, they continue to deliver strong and improved performance for both established customers and new users who’ve made the switch. Speedtest data shows that GFiber users in Salt Lake City continue to experience reliable, high-quality internet service even after years of operation.
In 2024, users in Salt Lake City typically experience much faster speeds on GFiber compared to those from their previous ISP. This demonstrates GFiber’s ability to not only introduce competitive speeds in new markets but also maintain and enhance service quality in markets they have been serving for years. Speedtest data allows GFiber to consistently track and optimize its network performance, ensuring that all customers, whether in new or long-established markets, receive the best possible internet experience.
About GFiber
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