In early 2026, Alphabet announced the sale of a majority stake in Google Fiber to Stonepeak, a private equity firm. The decision to sell came amid criticisms regarding the slow expansion rate of Google Fiber, with only 2.3 million locations connected since its inception a decade ago, leading some to view the service as a hobbyist project rather than a significant corporate initiative. With the merger of Google Fiber and Astound, industry observers expressed concerns about the potential loss of competition in the broadband market, as both companies were among the few offering fiber services. Long-time subscribers of Google Fiber shared mixed feelings about the change; while some appreciated the reliable service, others feared that the acquisition by a private equity firm could lead to increased prices and reduced service quality. Overall, the merger raises critical questions about the future of fiber internet service in the market, especially concerning competition and pricing dynamics that may follow the transition.