Already have a system you love? Use it. Your service includes Wi-Fi with no extra charge, but we get that you might prefer something else. That’s why when you choose our 1 Gig internet plan, you’re welcome to use your own router.
Wi-Fi uses radio waves to send and receive signals from your wireless router. These radio waves connect your devices to the internet. Wi-Fi transmits at frequencies of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Generally, the faster the frequency, the faster the data transmission. Google Wifi is a dual band device, offering both 2.4 GHZ and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequencies. If you don't know what that means, that's fine, because Google Wifi takes care of that for you. Unlike some routers that have two separate Wi-Fi networks (one for the 2.4GHz band and another for the 5GHz band) or older routers with just a 2.4GHz band, Google Wifi works to select the band that will deliver the best performance for your device. You can learn more about Wi-Fi bands here.
Wired internet is generally faster, allowing you to get the highest speeds available, but it’s not always possible or practical to plug in many devices (think of how many cables you would need!). And, some devices may not be capable of going as fast as your internet can (even if you could plug them in).
Keep in mind, our upload and download speed claims are always based on maximum wired speeds. Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
A wireless router is what lets your wireless devices connect to the internet. With a traditional router, all wireless traffic on your devices rely on that single point of access (the router)—instead of the multiple points you’d get with a mesh network. The reach of a traditional router is limited by the size of the antennas, and walls can often get in the way of the signal. You can use an extender to give you more “reach,” but it may not always cover some corners of your home.
An extender does exactly that: It extends your Wi-Fi signal range by repeating the Wi-Fi signal of your wireless router. An extender typically creates a new Wi-Fi network, requiring you to switch your device between networks.
You can connect to the internet either wired or wirelessly. A wired connection requires an ethernet cord to connect your device directly to the internet. A wired connection will generally allow you to get the maximum speed available at your home, which means it will usually be faster. Wi-Fi (or a wireless connection) allows you to connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the internet without cables. Instead, you use a wireless router. Wi-Fi can sometimes have interferences that may slow down the speed of your connection.
A mesh network uses multiple access points that communicate with each other to give your whole home seamless Wi-Fi coverage. A mesh network provides you with further reach than you’d get with a single traditional router. (This is what you get with Google Wifi.)
Yes, generally. Depending on your 1 Gig plan, your internet will come with up to two Google Wifi points. However, if your home requires more than two points, we can provide you with additional points for $100 each. This is typically only necessary if your home is larger than 3,000 square feet or has an atypical layout.
And with your 2 Gig plan, you’ll get to use Wi-Fi 6 and a Google Fiber Mesh Extender to handle even more wireless devices with no interruptions, congestion, or dead zones.
Google Fiber does not charge extra for Wi-Fi with any plan. With 1 Gig, you can get up to two Wifi points, depending on what your space requires. Additional Google Wifi points can be purchased for $100 each. Some plans and addresses may require the Google Fiber Network Box at this time.
If you have 2 Gig, you’ll get a Wi-Fi 6-enabled Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router and one Google Fiber Mesh Extender. Additional Google Fiber Mesh Extenders can be purchased for $180 each.
If you have 1 Gig, you are welcome to use the router that works for you. If you have 2 Gig, you’ll need to use the Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router at this time.
To use your own router with 1 Gig, you’ll need to make sure that your router meets the following specs:
Learn more about router requirements.
You can explore some options here.
We cannot provide support with your setup if you use your own router. That’s why we only recommend using your own router if you’re already comfortable with it.
There are a few differences between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6, one of which is speed. Wi-Fi 6 delivers wireless speed that’s 30% faster than Wi-Fi 5 if everything else is the same with Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices.1
Even if your devices don’t have Wi-Fi 6, thanks to the tri-band Mesh Extender and capacity of 2 Gig, you can use more devices without interference, and your devices may even be able to have longer battery lives.
Absolutely! However, you might want to hold on to your old router in case you want to switch back.
Wi-Fi 6 is a new Wi-Fi standard, with many Wi-Fi 6-ready devices already available in the market. Wi-Fi 6 allows for 30% faster speeds on Wi-Fi 6-enabled devices (such as phones, laptops, and tablets), and for more devices on a single network without slowing down Wi-Fi speeds. Wi-Fi 6 also improves battery life and provides greater security with WPA3.
With Google Fiber 2 Gig, customers will receive the Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router and tri-band Mesh Extender. Both support the Wi-Fi 6 standard. A dual-band device has a 2.4 Ghz band and 5 Ghz band, but our tri-band Mesh Extender adds an additional 5 Ghz band for devices to connect to. The tri-band Mesh Extender extends Wi-Fi coverage, connecting to the router and creating a seamless mesh Wi-Fi network that lets you roam throughout your home without having to reconnect or restart your device.
There are a few differences between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6, one of which is speed. Wi-Fi 6 delivers wireless speed that’s 30% or more faster than Wi-Fi 5 if everything else is the same.1
Wi-Fi 6 is a new Wi-Fi standard, allowing for more devices on a single network without slowing down Wi-Fi speeds. Wi-Fi 6 also improves battery life and provides greater security with WPA3.
All 2 Gig customers will receive the Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router and tri-band Mesh Extender to use, which were custom-developed with a technology partner. Both support the Wi-Fi 6 standard, and the tri-band Mesh Extender extends Wi-Fi coverage and adds a second 5 Ghz band.
Due to the nature of the 2 Gig plan, customers cannot currently use their own router.
Google Wifi is a mesh Wi-Fi system that replaces older, traditional routers with seamless coverage throughout your home—without the headaches of signal drops or dead zones.
Google Wifi is smart, automatically putting your devices on the clearest channel and fastest band, so you can do what you love without missing a beat. Google Wifi points work together to give you a strong signal throughout your entire home.
It depends on the size and layout of your home. Each point typically covers 1,500 square feet. Two points can cover up to 3,000 square feet. It’s easy to add more points in the future if you want even more coverage. Google Wifi recommends a maximum of 5 points in a single mesh network.
First, make sure you can see your Google Wifi access points. (A good rule of thumb: If you can see the point, chances are your device can, too.) You’ll also want to make sure your points are as high off the ground as possible. You’ll be able to put your points almost anywhere there’s a power outlet, so you might want to put them somewhere like a countertop or a bookshelf. If the layout of your house makes it hard to get a clear view of your point, or if you’re trying to stream in HD outside and brick or concrete is blocking your signal, you might need to add another point to your network.
If your connection seems slow, check your Google Home app to see who and what’s connected to your Wi-Fi and check to see if your network is prioritizing any particular devices.