AT&T to take gigabit broadband to 21 new metro areas

In an attempt to compete with Google's fiber service, AT&T today said it will expand its ultra-fast fiber network to up to 100 candidate cities and municipalities nationwide, including 21 new major metropolitan areas.

Following its initial rollout in Austin and Dallas, Texas, and Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem, N.C., the company is now eyeing areas in Atlanta, Augusta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Worth, Greensboro, Jacksonville, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.

"AT&T will work with local leaders in these markets to discuss ways to bring the service to their communities," the company said. "Similar to previously announced metro area selections in Austin and Dallas and advanced discussions in Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem, communities that have suitable network facilities and show the strongest investment cases based on anticipated demand and the most receptive policies will influence these future selections and coverage maps within selected areas."

The company hasn't announced pricing for the U-Verse with GigaPower service in the new territories. Currently, AT&T offers the service for $70 a month to customers who sign a one-year contract and agree to allow AT&T to track their data usage. The price is guaranteed for three years, but customers can opt out of the service entirely or the Internet Preferences program after a year. Customers who don't want their activity tracked through the Internet Preferences program can get the 1Gbps service for $100 a month. Prices go up when phone and TV service is added to the package.

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