What’s happening
On March 11, 2026, GFiber and the investment firm Stonepeak announced that they would combine GFiber with Astound Broadband, which Stonepeak already owns. The companies describe the result as a leading independent fiber provider. A few weeks later, Google Fiber officially changed its name to GFiber, dropping “Google” from the brand.
As of mid-October 2026, the deal has not closed. The companies said it needs the usual regulatory approvals and expected it to close by the end of 2026. Until it closes, GFiber and Astound continue to run as separate companies with their own plans, prices and customer service.
Who will own the combined company?
A common question is whether Google is buying Astound. It isn’t. It works more the other way around:
- Stonepeak, which bought Astound in 2021, will hold the majority of the combined company.
- Alphabet, Google’s parent company, will stay on as a significant minority shareholder.
- GFiber’s leadership team, led by CEO Dinni Jain, is set to run the combined business.
The companies did not share the price of the deal, and they have not announced a name for the combined company. For now, you’ll keep seeing both the GFiber and Astound names.
Where GFiber and Astound serve
The two networks are mostly in different places, which is one reason the deal makes sense to the companies. Analysts estimate GFiber has about 2.8 million fiber locations and Astound about 4.5 million homes and businesses passed, for roughly 7 million combined.
| GFiber (formerly Google Fiber) | Astound Broadband | |
|---|---|---|
| Former names | Google Fiber, Webpass | RCN, Grande, Wave, enTouch, Digital West |
| Network | Fiber to the home | Mostly cable (coax), with fiber in some areas |
| Example areas* | Parts of Austin, San Antonio, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, Des Moines, Omaha, the Phoenix East Valley and Las Vegas | Parts of Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley, New York, Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Waco |
*Each company serves only parts of each area, and some GFiber cities are still being built. Your options depend on your street address.
There are a few places where both brands have a presence, such as parts of Austin, San Antonio, Chicago, the Seattle area and the Bay Area. Even there, they rarely serve the same street today.
What changes for customers
GFiber customers: In an email to subscribers in March 2026, GFiber said nothing was changing about their service, including speed and price. GFiber plans are fiber with matching upload and download speeds, no data caps and no annual contracts, and equipment and professional installation are included.
Astound customers: Neither company has announced changes to Astound plans, prices, equipment or billing because of the deal. Keep in mind that most of Astound’s network is cable, not fiber, so GFiber’s fiber plans won’t automatically become available at Astound addresses. Industry reporters expect fiber upgrades in Astound areas over time, but no city-by-city schedule has been published.
Separately from the merger, prices can still change for normal reasons. Astound notified some areas of rate increases in spring 2026, and promotional prices from any provider usually rise when the promo period ends.
What to check on your account now
- Your promo end date. Many Astound offers last 12 months and require autopay. Note when yours ends so a price jump doesn’t surprise you.
- Equipment. Astound’s gigabit plans need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. If you use your own, check that it’s supported. If you rent, keep your return receipts if you ever switch.
- Your broadband “nutrition label.” Providers must show the monthly price, promo length, fees and typical speeds for each plan. Compare your current label with offers at your address.
- Low-cost options. Astound offers an income-qualified plan called Internet First. If money is tight, ask whether you qualify.
- Email and logins. If you still use an old RCN, Grande or Wave email address, make sure you know how to reach it. Brand changes are a good reminder to move important accounts to an address you control.
Should you compare providers?
You don’t have to do anything because of this deal. Your service keeps working. But news like this is a good moment to check what else serves your address, because the answer has changed in many cities over the past few years. Depending on your street, you may also be able to get Spectrum or Xfinity cable, AT&T or Frontier fiber, 5G home internet or satellite. Our fiber vs cable guide explains the difference, and how much internet speed do I need helps you avoid paying for speed you won’t use.
Other 2026 changes may affect you too: Cox is now Spectrum and Frontier is now Verizon. Learn more on our Astound page, or share your address and a specialist will compare every provider that serves it, for free.
Compare Astound and GFiber with other providers
In most GFiber and Astound cities, you can also choose a big cable company, another fiber company or 5G home internet. Tap a provider to learn more, or check your address and we’ll compare them all.
