Comcast has revealed pricing for its 2Gbps fiber-to-the-home Internet service and, yes, it's quite expensive.

The residential service costs $299.95 per month, and "fees of up to $500 for installation and up to $500 for activation apply," Comcast said on its website. "Equipment, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges" will also boost the overall cost.

While $299.95 is the official monthly price, Multichannel News reported that 2Gbps service "will carry a promotional price of $159 per month in the early going, about half its general price." Internet usage on "Gigabit Pro," the official name, will not count against data caps, Multichannel News also wrote.

Comcast isn't offering any bundles of Gigabit Pro with its TV and phone products, but customers can purchase those separately.

The price for Gigabit Pro is actually lower than the $399.95 a month Comcast had been charging for 505Mbps service, but the company is planning to switch those customers to Gigabit Pro.

Google, AT&T, and other providers sell gigabit Internet service for much lower prices than Comcast, though availability is limited. Google Fiber is $70 per month with no construction fees, while AT&T's gigabit service ranges from $70 to $149 a month depending on how much competition is in each city and whether you allow AT&T to monitor your Web browsing.

Gigabit Pro needs a custom installation which "may require 6 to 8 weeks or more to complete," Comcast's website said. Customers are required to sign a 2-year agreement which carries early termination fees.

Gigabit Pro offers 2Gbps speeds both upstream and downstream, and will generally become available at residences that are within a third of a mile of Comcast's fiber network. Comcast has promised it will launch in a "bunch of markets" this month. The first locations are in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and California (see full city in the image above).

In markets where only cable Internet is available, Comcast plans to offer gigabit download speeds (and slower uploads) early next year using the new DOCSIS 3.1 standard.

UPDATE: Comcast told Ars that the promotional price of $159 a month lasts for three years and is available "across our entire Central Division, which includes Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chattanooga and in other areas like Peoria, Champaign, Knoxville, and South Bend, IN." The promotion is not available in other cities.

Installation and activation fees "may vary depending on proximity to our fiber plant and certain promotions," Comcast said.