Google Fiber customers may soon have more control over their home internet connection. On June 30, Google Fiber announced its partnership with telecommunications company Nokia to test network slicing, a technology that will allow customers to personalize and have more control over their networks.
So what does that mean? Network slicing is a way for internet users to create "lanes" for specific internet usage -- it's a way to prioritize internet traffic without compromising bandwidth somewhere else. This technology promises many benefits, particularly for gamers prioritizing low latency.
Google Fiber Head of Product Nick Saporito tells CNET that "network slicing could give customers more control over how their internet performs based on what they're doing."
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"Instead of treating all traffic the same, we're exploring how customers could dedicate bandwidth to the activities that matter most to them. Think of it like putting your connection in a 'gamer mode' or 'video call mode' that you control." Saporito said.
Many of the biggest names in broadband, including T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and Verizon, are not new to this technology. Since 2023, these 5G home internet giants have begun working to establish network slicing for their services. However, this is the first time we've seen a fiber internet provider explore network slicing, and once established, it could push the boundaries of what fiber internet has to offer.
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Google Fiber has only begun testing this technology in its labs so it's still too early to say whether it can deliver on its promise.
Read more: I Think Fiber Is the Gold Standard of Internet. But Here's Why I Can't Always Recommend It
What is network slicing?
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