GFiber Glossary of Terms
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1 Gig: One of GFiber's original internet plans, offering approximately 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) symmetrical speeds. It has maintained the same price since 2012.1
1 Gig (Webpass): A GFiber Webpass-only plan offering approximately 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) symmetrical speeds. Availability based on your city.1
2 Gig: One of GFiber's original internet plans, offering approximately 2 Gbps (gigabits per second) symmetrical speeds.1
2 Gig (Webpass): A GFiber Webpass-only plan offering approximately 2 Gbps (gigabits per second) symmetrical speeds.1
2.4 GHz: A common wireless frequency band used by Wi-Fi and other devices. It provides greater range but slower speeds than 5 GHz.
2.5 Gbps Ethernet Switch: A networking device used to connect multiple devices in a local area network (LAN), supporting data transfer rates up to 2.5 Gigabits per second.
5 Gig: One of GFiber's original internet plans, offering approximately 5 Gbps (gigabits per second) symmetrical speeds.1
5 GHz: A wireless frequency band used by Wi-Fi devices. It provides faster speeds but shorter range than 2.4 GHz.
500 Meg (Webpass): A GFiber Webpass-only plan offering approximately 500 Mbps symmetrical speeds.1
6 GHz: A wireless frequency band used by Wi-Fi devices. It provides faster speeds but shorter range than 5 GHz.
8 Gig: One of GFiber's original internet plans, offering approximately 8 Gbps (gigabits per second) symmetrical speeds.1
A
Aerial installation: Depending on your property and how our fiber optic network is deployed in your area, our team may string your fiber optic cable from utility poles to your home during the installation process. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
Autopay: A payment setting that automatically charges your payment method each month.
B
Backhaul: The underlying connection that links a mesh extender to the main router, which can be wired (using an Ethernet cable for maximum speed) or wireless (using Wi-Fi signals).
Bandwidth: The amount of data your internet connection can handle at one time.
Billing cycle: The time period your monthly GFiber service covers.
Business 1 Gig: A 1 Gig internet plan specifically for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) with different terms, conditions, and pricing than the residential internet plan.1
Business 2 Gig: A 2 Gig internet plan specifically for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs), which includes an SLA (Service Level Agreement) feature and different terms, conditions, and pricing than the residential internet plan.1
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Cat 6a / Cat 7: High-performance Ethernet cables capable of supporting up to 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) speeds, with Cat 6a being the standard recommendation for GFiber's multi-gig plans due to its compatibility and reliability.
Core 1 Gig: One of GFiber's lifestyle internet plans, offering approximately 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) symmetrical speeds.1
Customer portal: The website where you sign in to view your GFiber account and manage your service.
D
Account Delinquency: A state where your account is past due on payments.
Fiber drop: The final run of fiber optic cable from the pole or pedestal outside to your home or building. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): A network protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network parameters to devices on a network.
Dynamic IP address: An internet address that may change over time.
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Edge 8 Gig: One of GFiber's premium lifestyle internet plans, offering approximately 8 Gbps (gigabits per second) symmetrical speeds.1
Ethernet cable: A physical cable (usually Cat 5e, 6, or 7) used to connect devices in a wired network, supporting high-speed data transmission.
Ethernet Switch: A networking device that connects multiple computers and other network devices, allowing them to communicate with each other on a local network.
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Factory reset: The process of restoring a device (like a router or extender) to the original configuration it had when it was first manufactured.
Fiber line: The cable that brings GFiber internet from the street to your home/business.
Fiber Jack: The device installed inside your home or business that converts the fiber optic light signal into an electrical signal. Also known as an ONT (Optical Network Terminal).
FTTH (Fiber to the home): A type of internet connection where fiber optic cable runs directly to your home, providing fast and reliable internet service.
G
Gbps, Gb/sec, Gb/s (Gigabits per second): A unit of data transfer rate, representing one billion bits per second, typically used to measure high-speed internet.
GFiber: GFiber is the same internet service previously called Google Fiber. The name has changed, but your service, account, and support stay the same.
GFiber account: Your online account where you manage your service, billing, and settings. Also known as the Customer portal.
GFiber App: A mobile application used to manage your account, view billing, and control your in-home network and Wi-Fi settings. You can download the GFiber App for Android or iOS.
GFiber bulk: A type of GFiber service for apartments and multi-unit buildings. Internet is available to your whole building instead of a single home.
GFiber Phone: The voice-over-IP (VoIP) service offered by GFiber.
Gig / Gigabit: A unit of information or computer storage equal to one billion bits. Often used to measure data transfer rates (Gbps).
Google Wifi: The previous generation of Google's mesh Wi-Fi system that is used in some GFiber installations.
Google Wifi Points: The individual router and/or access point units that form a Google Wifi mesh network.
Google Home App: The app for managing various Google related equipment such as Google Wifi routers or Nest Thermostats. This is different from the GFiber App.
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Home 3 Gig: One of GFiber's lifestyle internet plans, offering approximately 3 Gbps (gigabits per second) symmetrical speeds.1
I
Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF): A utility closet, often on multiple floors of a high-rise, where the building's Ethernet or coax cabling runs back to. For Webpass service, we install our switches in these locations.
Installation: The process of setting up GFiber service and equipment in your home.
Internet Battery Backup: A device that provides power to core internet equipment (like the Fiber Jack) during a power outage, ensuring service continuity for a limited time.
Internet Battery Backup - Battery: The rechargeable component of the Internet Battery Backup that stores the power.
Internet Battery Backup - Power Supply: The power cord and transformer that plugs into the wall to charge the Internet Battery Backup.
Internet Service Provider (ISP): A company, like GFiber, that provides customers with access to the internet.
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): The most recent version of the Internet Protocol, designed to eventually replace the older IPv4 and provide a vast number of new IP addresses.
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Latency: The time it takes for data to travel between your device and the internet.
Local Area Network (LAN): A computer network that interconnects devices within a limited area, such as a home, school, or office.
Lifestyle Internet Product(s): A term referring to GFiber's suite of internet speed tiers (e.g., Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig, Edge 8 Gig).
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MAC Address: A unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for communications at the data link layer of a network segment.
MAC Randomization: A feature on modern devices that allows them to use a temporary, randomized MAC address when scanning for or connecting to Wi-Fi networks, enhancing privacy.
Maintenance window: A planned time when network work may affect service.
Mesh Wi-Fi: A Wi-Fi setup that uses multiple devices to provide better coverage throughout your home.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO): A core feature of your Wi-Fi 7 router that allows devices to connect to multiple bands at once.
Multi-Family Dwelling Unit (MDU). A building or complex that contains multiple residential units, such as apartments, condos, or townhomes.
Mesh Extender: A device that works with a router to expand the coverage of a wireless network, creating a single, seamless network throughout a home.
Multi-Family Single Unit (MFSU): Similar to MDU, referring to an individual unit within a multi-family dwelling.
MoCA Wiring Adapter: A device that uses a home's existing coaxial (cable TV) wiring to create a fast, wired network connection.
Multi-gig: A general term referring to internet speeds that are greater than 1 Gigabit per second (e.g., 2 Gig, 5 Gig, 8 Gig).
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Nest Wifi Pro: The latest generation of Google's mesh Wi-Fi system that supports Wi-Fi 6E, often used in GFiber installations.
Network Box: Various models (GFRG100, GFRG110, GFRG200) of the GFiber router and gateway device used to provide internet connection to your home network. Most Network Box customers are eligible to upgrade to a new router. To learn more, visit the router upgrade for Network Box customers article.
Network Interface Unit (NIU): The gray, outdoor box on the side of your home or building where the GFiber optic network connects to your home. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
Network upgrade: Improvements made to the GFiber network to increase speed or reliability.
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On-property prep: Work done on or near your property to prepare for GFiber installation. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
Outage: A period when your internet service is not working.
Outstanding balance: The total amount you still owe on your account.
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Planned maintenance: Scheduled work that helps keep the GFiber network running smoothly.
Phone Battery Backup: A battery backup specifically for the Phone Box to ensure the GFiber Phone service remains active during a power outage.
Phone Box: The device used to connect standard landline phones to the GFiber Phone service.
GFiber Portal: Your online account where you manage your service, billing, and settings. Also known as the customer portal. Also known as the GFiber account or customer portal.
Powercycle: A thorough reboot of a device, where it is completely disconnected from its power source for a short period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) before being reconnected. This is a common first step for troubleshooting.
Priority Room Optimization: A service where GFiber experts assess your home's connection and existing wiring to design a custom network setup, which may include wired connectivity or optimized Wi-Fi, to ensure the best internet performance in your most important rooms like a home office or gaming station. Availability based on your home network and for Home 3 Gig and Edge 8 Gig customers only.
Pro Install / Professional Install: An installation performed by a professional GFiber technician.
Prorated Charges: One-time charges on your first bill that cover the days you had service during a partial billing month.
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Reinstate service: To restore your GFiber service after it has been suspended.
Reliability Plus: A set of service features including internet battery backup, priority room optimization, and an uptime guarantee. These are available with Lifestyle Internet Plans (Home 3 Gig and Edge 8 Gig).
Right-of-way: The legal right to pass over land belonging to another party, often used by utility companies for construction and maintenance of network infrastructure. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
RSSI: The Received Signal Strength Indicator is a measurement of how well a device can "hear" a signal from an access point or router, useful for determining wireless connection quality.
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Self-Install: The process where you can set up and activate your GFiber service and equipment without the need for a technician visit.
Self-Install Kit (SIK): The package containing all the necessary equipment and instructions for you to perform a Self Installation.
Service appointment: A scheduled visit where a GFiber technician comes to your home to install, repair, or upgrade service.
Service interruption: A temporary loss or reduction of internet service.
SSID: The service set identifier is a common, recognizable name of a wireless network (Wi-Fi) that is displayed when connecting to it.
Single Family Unit (SFU): A building or structure designed to be used by one household (e.g., a standard single-family home).
Site Survey: A visit by a GFiber construction or network team member to a location to assess, confirm, and plan its eligibility and logistics for receiving a fiber connection. Learn more about the installation process for new business customers.
Small and Medium Business (SMB): A customer segment composed of businesses that are larger than a consumer but smaller than an enterprise corporation.
Speed test: A tool that checks how fast your internet connection is for downloads and uploads.
Splice: The act of permanently joining two pieces of fiber optic cable together, usually performed by a technician during the initial installation appointment. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
Account Suspension: A temporary deactivation of your service due to non-payment or at your request.
Static IPs / Static IP address : A fixed internet address that doesn’t change. This feature is often used by businesses.
Symmetrical Internet/ Symmetrical Speeds: An internet connection where the upload speed (sending data) is equal to the download speed (receiving data).
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Trusted Tester: A customer who gets early access to a new GFiber product, plan, or feature before it’s available to everyone. Trusted Testers help us improve the experience by sharing feedback.
U
Underground installation: In most cases, the fiber optic cable will be buried underground. Our team will carefully dig a trench and lay the cable from the curb to your home. We’ll use the most appropriate method for your property — either hand digging, using trenching equipment, or boring underneath driveways or hardscapes. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
Uptime Guarantee: A contractual promise that the internet service will be available (up) for a specified percentage of time or your money back.
Use your own router: The practice where you choose to connect your personally owned router directly to the Fiber Jack instead of using the provided GFiber router.
Utility line marking: The process of marking utilities on your property in preparation for installing GFiber service. Learn more about the installation process for new customers.
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Webpass / GFiber Webpass: A GFiber-owned service that primarily provides high-speed internet through a fixed wireless connection, often used in MDUs, as an alternative to a full fiber build-out.
Wi-Fi: A technology that uses radio waves to provide high-speed wireless internet and network connections.
Wi-Fi 6 Router: A router that supports the 802.11ax standard, offering improved speed, efficiency, and capacity over previous Wi-Fi generations.
Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender: A device that works with your router to extend Wi-Fi coverage to more rooms, helping improve connection strength in areas where Wi-Fi may be weak or slow.
Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Extender: A mesh extender that supports the Wi-Fi 6E standard, which utilizes the 6 GHz frequency band for significantly less congested and faster wireless performance.
Wi-Fi 6E Router: A router that supports the Wi-Fi 6E standard, which utilizes the 6 GHz frequency band for significantly less congested and faster wireless performance.
Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Extender: A mesh extender that supports the latest 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard, offering cutting-edge speed, capacity, and lower latency.
Wi-Fi 7 Router: A router that supports the latest 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard, offering cutting-edge speed, capacity, and lower latency.
Wi-Fi coverage: How far your Wi-Fi signal reaches in your home.
Wi-Fi frequency: The radio wave band (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) over which a wireless network transmits data.
Wired Connection: A connection that uses an Ethernet cable to connect a device directly to your router.
Wiring Adapter: A general term for a device (like a MoCA adapter) that allows an existing wired connection in the home to be used for networking.
Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN): A network that links two or more devices using wireless communication over a limited area.
WPA: A security protocol used to secure wireless computer networks.
WPA2: The successor to WPA, offering stronger security protocols for wireless networks.
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1 Availability based on your city.