AT&T is bringing gigabit internet to Silicon Valley

AT&T Inc. is bringing its ultrafast Internet service to Apple Inc.’s hometown and a few miles from Google Inc.’s doorstep. The carrier plans to make Cupertino the first city in California to receive its up to one gigabit service U-verse fiber optic broadband service, and California would be the sixth state in its nationwide rollout. Service in Cupertino would begin in coming months, AT&T said. AT&T and Google have been rolling out ultrafast Internet services to cities where they expect the strong demand needed to cover the cost of new fiber cables. Google pioneered the model in Kansas City by using preregistrations to select neighborhoods where enough customers signed up for the service. Previously, most cable and phone companies were required by franchise agreements with regional governments to wire most of the markets they entered, regardless of demand. The strategy brings the fastest service to places where residents can afford the service, but has raised concerns that poorer and rural areas will get left behind in digital developments.