SALT LAKE CITY— Salt Lake City is a thriving place to be right now—it’s a big part of what’s being hailed as “the next Silicon Valley,” thanks in large part to its millennial-loving, entrepreneurial culture. This trend shows no sign of slowing, either, as Salt Lake welcomes the arrival of Google Fiber, a privilege afforded only to a few select cities at this stage in Google’s internet expansion.

While a lot of the specifics around the buildout and timeline are still taking shape, there are a few things Salt Lake can likely expect as Google grows its fiber presence.

Fiber’s big benefits for Salt Lake proper

Hundreds of cities have vied to be included in Google’s network, and for good reason. Google Fiber cities stand to gain a lot as a result of faster speeds.

For instance, other Google “Fiberhoods,” like Kansas City, have seen welcome boosts in area economies thanks to faster internet speeds. Entrepreneurs and software developers flocked to the area to take advantage of a better online connection. Startups are attracted to areas with high-speed fiber internet, as are millennials who want everything to be fast-paced and modern.

Better business isn’t the only reason to celebrate Google Fiber’s arrival in Salt Lake City, either. Improved community infrastructure is another huge boon. Everything from healthcare to education can reap the benefits of a gigabit internet connection and faster information sharing. Notable medical facilities in other Fiberhoods, like the University of Kansas Medical Center, have been eager to develop innovative medical applications using Google’s fiber network, and Salt Lake facilities could soon follow suit.

Increased competition bodes well for area suburbs

By showing that faster service is possible in the United States, Google is forcing other internet giants to innovate and expand their internet package offerings. AT&T, for example, has been quick to follow Google Fiber in announcing new gigabit internet offerings in various US cities. There are a number of other internet providers currently pursuing fiber as well, so more affordable options could crop up in the near future.

As for Salt Lake City, it’s likely that Google’s fast, inexpensive offerings will influence current internet providers in areas outside the Fiberhood to make their services and pricing more competitive. Residents in places like South Jordan, Sandy and Ogden could see lower prices for internet services in the coming years as other companies try to stay in the game and keep growing alongside Google Fiber.

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Current affordability may be temporary

It is worth noting that the pricing of Google’s plans may not always be as low as they are now. When the company began offering gigabit internet in its first Fiberhoods, it offered a basic plan at no cost for customers. The plan had speeds substantially lower than full gigabit services, but the $0 price tag had huge appeal for college students and families alike. Now, however, the company’s pricing has become a little less relaxed.

In Kansas City, Google has done away with the low-tier free plan entirely, charging $50 for its bottom-rung offering. Prices for the company’s other packages haven’t changed yet, but there’s no official guarantee against further changes.

It’s possible that Google may increase its pricing once it becomes established in Salt Lake City. However, as the company will still be competing with other area providers, there’s a good chance that the overall pricing trend will see a downward shift.

Getting started in Salt Lake City

Though not everyone living in Salt Lake will be able to enjoy Google Fiber right away, sign-ups in City Center and parts of Sugar House have already begun. Advertised pricing starts at $50 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps, with gigabit internet costing $70 per month. The company is also offering a number of plans for small businesses in select areas.

It’s an exciting time for internet lovers, and the future of faster connections in Salt Lake City and around the country looks promising.