Google Fiber Broadband Hype Replaced By Delays And Frustration

from the in-limbo dept

Tue, Jun 5th 2018 6:24am — Karl Bode

When Google Fiber first arrived back in 2010, it was lauded as a game changer for the broadband industry. Google Fiber would, we were told, revolutionize the industry by taking Silicon Valley money and using it to disrupt the viciously uncompetitive and anti-competitive telecom sector. Initially things worked out well; cities tripped over themselves offering all manner of perks to the company in the hopes of breaking free from the broadband duopoly logjam. And in some areas where Google Fiber was deployed, prices certainly dropped thanks to Google Fiber market pressure.

But that was then, and this is now.

In late 2016 Alphabet made it clear that the company had grown bored with the high costs and slow pace of deploying fiber. The project has burned through several CEOs in just a year, laid off numerous employees, and the company ultimately announced it was considering a pivot to cheaper wireless technology. The problem: Google's still conducting numerous tests in various spectrum bands (including millimeter wave), but doesn't actually know what this replacement tech looks like yet. Meanwhile, the cities once promised a broadband revolution are seeing that hope replaced with annoyance and frustration.

While the company stated it would be putting any new builds on hold, it insisted that existing projects that were underway wouldn't be impacted. That hasn't proven to be the case, with users in initial launch markets like Kansas City saying their installations had been cancelled with no real explanation after years of waiting. That same song is also playing out in markets like Atlanta, where hope and excitement have shifted to something decidedly... different:

"It’s been more than three years since the Google Fiber frenzy took hold of the Atlanta area. From Alpharetta to Avondale Estates, Sandy Springs to Smyrna, folks fed up with chronically unreliable internet connections, abysmal customer service and expensive monthly bills lapped up Google Fiber’s promise....Google has released little public information about the Atlanta rollout delays, and company officials declined WABE’s multiple requests for an interview on the status of the project and other specifics.

Noting a trend yet? You'll notice the same complaints in Austin, one of Google Fiber's more robust builds, where locals point out that progress appears to have stopped for many users who say the technology was installed, but progress just magically ceased:

"Construction is complete. Equipment is installed. But a year later, a south Austin neighborhood says they're still waiting on Google Fiber to actually work...Today, some residents say they can't get a straight answer on what's taking so long to access the high-speed internet...

Susan Speyer says when she was signing up for Google Fiber, she was told she'd have service in, "Just a few weeks to max three months." And as the months passed, cable and internet bills with other providers, they say, have gone up. Neighbor Sherry Lowry adding, "It's doubled since all of this started with Google."

To be fair, Google's PR folks can't offer answers of what comes next because Google itself doesn't know what the wireless technology that will supplant fiber will look like. But even Google's wireless promises have been decidedly shaky. After acquiring urban wireless provider Webpass two years ago, some of that company's coverage markets have actually shrunk, with the provider simply pulling out of cities like Boston without much explanation. And many of the executives that were part of that acquisition have "suddenly" departed for unspecified reasons.

At this point it's certainly possible that once Google Fiber is done with its multi-year, numerous wireless tests it settles on a cheaper (but still expensive and time consuming) alternative to fiber. But as the company's newfound apathy and steady retreat from net neutrality advocacy makes clear, this isn't the same company Alphabet/Google was when this experiment started, and it remains entirely possible the entire project is scuttled or sold off as Google itself inevitably shifts from innovation and disruption to turf protection (especially with ISPs like Comcast and AT&T pushing harder into advertising).

Meanwhile, the broadband sector is actually getting less competitive than ever as the nation's telcos give up on upgrading aging DSL lines, leaving the nation's cable providers with greater regional monopolies than ever before. The fact that nobody wants to upgrade this nation's already mediocre broadband infrastructure (because it's not profitable enough, quickly enough for Wall Street) is a major reason more and more towns and cities are simply building their own broadband networks -- assuming states haven't banned them from doing so at large ISP behest.

Based on what we're seeing lately, those hoping that Google still has the money, resources and willpower to shake the broadband sector out of its monopoly dysfunction probably shouldn't hold their breath.

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Filed Under: broadband, customer service, delays, google fiber
Companies: google

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HegemonicDistortion (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 5:33am

Dammit
It's basically stopped in Nashville, too, best I can tell.

I don't know why the Googles and Amazons and Apples don't form a consortium for widespread deployment. They have to know the value of not being subject to Comcast and AT&T's tolls. Of course all the better for the people if municipalities (or whole states) do this themselves, but surely it's in these mega-corps long-term interest to undertake it.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 6:46am

Re: Dammit
It's cheaper for them to pay the tolls then to build themselves a new road.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 6:50am

What? Google lied? Again?
I'm shocked!
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 6:56am

Good Article, Karl!
I'm very thankful that Karl is setting the record straight about Google Fiber. Although if this article had just come out 24 hours earlier, it could have staved off a major argument about Google Fiber in the comments section of another article (one that had nothing to do with Google Fiber). Though it's quite possible that could be a major reason why this article about Google Fiber is even here today.
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Joseph Richardson, 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:08am

Louisville
Google Fiber is no where to be found in Louisville either. Sure they're in a couple areas downtown but that's about it. Any hope that they'll ever come to the suburbs of Louisville or anywhere else for that matter is a dying hope.
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Steve Swafford (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:16am

Different fiber
I just got my fiber hookup from ALLO in my area and I couldn't be happier. 1k up/down. When I went to TWC/Spectrum to return their router (that I had for over a decade), there was a line out the door of people with dvr's and routers under their arms returning. It felt good to drop that thing off and walk away finally.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:28am

Barriers
Since the barriers to Google Fiber are entrenched monopolists, seems like the solution is some better laws and regulations to correct this. Pajit's de-regulation obviously has no effect on the situation.
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BRIAN DOWNEY, 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:37am

Fiber is hard
Called this 5 years ago. Fiber-to-the-home is unnecessary and a ridiculous marking snafu. Fiber became a marketing term associated with high speeds, but the reality is that much the same can be done over traditional mediums with far less design, permitting, and installation challenges. I can push more over a 80Ghz ultra-high frequency microwave link faster than a run of fiber optic.

Our company attended a municipal fiber workshop a few years back. Planning a municipal fiber install is nuts compared to other mediums.

It's financially not viable. Fiber is meant to carry bits many miles with high signalling efficiency. Whoever turned it into a synonym for high speed internet option for consumers should be drawn and quartered.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:40am

Re: Different fiber

1k up/down.

You mean 1G?
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streetlight (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:56am

Re: Re: Different fiber
Same thought. Dial Up was actually ~56 kbits/sec, maybe a bitmore.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 7:58am

Re: Fiber is hard

I can push more over a 80Ghz ultra-high frequency microwave link faster than a run of fiber optic.

With a microwave link, that bandwidth is all you have in the area covered by the antenna, and beyond. whereas if you need more capacity in a fiber system you run more fibers. Besides which, what do you feed that microwave link with? I would bet it is fiber.
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Tin-Foil-Hat, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:03am

Cox
When google threatened to come to my city cox suddenly got better. They increased the speed of my service no charge. Once it became clear google was not going to be here,nprices went up and service became shitty again.
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farooge (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:07am

Broadband in Nashville
I actually work at the electric company - the company whose pole's Google Fiber was fighting for 'one-touch-make-ready' rules to access.

They HAD an office in our building and never said much (read: anything). That's all I know - I'm still on the signup list and haven't heard a peep (ever!).

HOWEVER, I now have access to gigabit connections from Comcast (_slightly_ spotty at time but very usable even for gaming) and AT&T. I just got the AT&T one and currently experiencing installation issues, but when it works, HOLY COW.

After promos are over the cost will be (as far as I understand)
AT&T $90/month - no cap (offered to gigabit fiber customers only)
Comcast $80/month + $30/Month for unlimited

I'm disgusted with (overtly arrogant) Google and WILL switch to Apple (or maybe a new Surface phone???). In time Nest will be removed too. I'm done with that company
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streetlight (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:11am

Installing cable & Internet by cities might be better
In some places we've seen cities and towns install municipally owned cable systems that give more than adequate Internet speeds with much smaller monthly fees for Internet service. This might be a better option than Google Fiber if the installations are completed in a timely manner. It's possible the increasing monthly fees for commercial services is to keep profits up in a time of cord cutting. The commercial, for profit services need to increase Internet and TV monthly subscription fees as folks cut TV subscriptions. All this assumes it's not against the law to for municipalities to do this.
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I.T. Guy, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:13am

Re: Broadband in Nashville
Your anger is misplaced. Google tried and was fought tooth and nail by... you guessed it. AT&T, Comcast and Verizon.

There is only so much one can take getting kicked in the nuts before you crawl away.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:24am

Re: Fiber is hard
The fiber to the cabinet rollout is working well in the UK.

We have an unlimited 80/20 Mb connection which is more than enough for my household (Depending on which stats you believe around 95% of UK households have access to these kinds of speeds or greater).
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:42am

Re: Re: Broadband in Nashville
Don't forget about strange regulations cities and towns have as well.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:48am

Re: Fiber is hard
Radio signalling will always, due to basic physics, be slower than light-based technology. 80Mb/sec is nothing compared to what fiber can do. You may consider that "high speed" but 1000Mb/sec is indisputably faster. Not only that, the switching rates of light are far higher so you ping, the latency in every request sent over "the wire", is much lower with fiber or even cable than it can ever be over the air.

Add to that the risk to airborne wildlife with the use of microwave tech and the choice is pretty clear: Life is better using a physical wire of one type or another to connect homes to the internet.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:58am

Re: Broadband in Nashville
Be careful when you switch. Apple and Microsoft have made arrogant claims in the past. With your nuke everything option, won't take you long before you move to smoke signals.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 9:09am

Re: Re: Fiber is hard
Radio is light... just a different frequency. I think you mean to point out the difference between over the air and over wire/cable.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 9:16am

RED ALERT! THEY'RE BAAACK! "farooge" a THIRTY MONTH GAP ZOMBIE!
Total of 37 comments, average 4 per year in NINE years! 10 Jun 2009.

The ODD and fun never end here.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 9:22am

Re: Good Article, Karl!

I'm very thankful that Karl is setting the record straight about Google Fiber.

You mean the record in which he -- at best -- stenographed LIES and PR from Google?

And why do you think he's accurate now? This is just more PR fluff.

The comment yesterday pointed up simple fact that Google is NOT spending billions in court trying to get into markets. It's just not.

Clearly Techdirt re-writers and readers have a fantasy view of Google Fiber.
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farooge (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 9:24am

Re: RED ALERT! THEY'RE BAAACK! "farooge" a THIRTY MONTH GAP ZOMBIE!
I've been here longer than that, my friend. I also read the site every (week) day. I've even bought a t shirt or two.

Support comes in may forms
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sumgai (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 9:30am

Re: Fiber is hard

I can push more over a 80Ghz ultra-high frequency microwave link faster than a run of fiber optic.

Not likely. Besides the fact that 80GHz would be in the Extremely High Frequency band (not UHF), a single fiber cable (not a bundle) can carry more than enough data to satisfy the average residential customer in today's world (2018). In fact, it's not economically viable to run just one single fiber, it's much cheaper to simply run a small bundle to each destination, even to a single family residence. As need increases over time, the bundle can handle such expansion with ease.

But moreover, where do you expect to find a family-budget-friendly transceiver (or modem, in computer parlance) that can drive that microwave link? Looked at any communications catalogs lately?

And as noted already, you're gonna be using a fiber to drive that setup, as pretty much the best-quality co-ax cable tops out at 60GHz or so. Under lab conditions, fiber can now hit 255THz

So let's put paid to this scenario: If you are going to punch out more than 100 milliwatts of RF at that frequency, you will be obtaining an FCC licence in order to stay legal... for starters. Getting someone else to lay your fiber is a one-time expense, and no legal hassles on your part. And let's nor forget that microwave transmissions are not immune to bad weather conditions, nor are microwave towers immune to minor tectonic shifts, aircraft (manned or otherwise) that can't seem to avoid things sticking up out of the earth, the list goes on....

(Side note: high-end audio equipment from the 1990's usually came with an optical coupler (S/PDIF-TOSLINK). This technology ain't new, folks.)
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 9:32am

Re: Re: Good Article, Karl!
Clearly you have a fantasy view of how corporations operate, and how much they voluntarily spend on lawyers.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 10:01am

Re: Fiber is hard
For providers too many people don't need the advantages of fiber and it is far more expensive than OTA-technologies.

For the advanced end-users, however, the advantages of having a physical connection you can more easily use for whatever devices you want is pretty good. Also: Since fiber is among the theoretically fastest transfer technologies out-there, the technlogy-proofing will be an advantage.

First wave roll-out of OTA is a no-brainer, but as people become more advanced in their needs (Ie. If some smart-home devices become relevant to connect without selling your soul to hackers!) the physical fiber will stay relevant regardless of backward compatibility-issues of the OTA-technologies.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 10:08am

Re: Barriers
"Since the barriers to Google Fiber are entrenched monopolists,"

Brought to you by "regulation"...

"seems like the solution is some better laws and regulations to correct this."

How so? Have we not been playing this angle for like the past 80 decades? Has it worked yet?

"Pajit's de-regulation obviously has no effect on the situation."

This is total non-sequitor. Pai is rolling back NN, which has NOTHING to do with the regulations blessing and facilitating the incumbent monopoly strangleholds that are present. These "pro-monopoly" regulations have been around before most of us were born and all have survived or were strengthened regardless of which party in power.
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Chip, 5 Jun 2018 @ 10:13am

Why Techdirt never Criticizes "Google"! Never! Never "ever"! You "never" see ANY articals on TECHDIRT that criticize "Google" ever! I can't "Think" of a Single "one"! Not "one"! Because Techdirt are GOOGLE "shills"!

Every Nation eats the Paint chips it Deserves!
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Steve Swafford (profile), 5 Jun 2018 @ 10:31am

Re: Re: Re: Different fiber
LOL yeah, oops. I meant 1gb up and down lol Ooops
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2018 @ 8:38pm

Re:
To be fair the original armchair anarchist doesn't actually criticize Google; he criticizes absolutely everybody but himself. The dumbass considers blue to be a good friend though, because one troll recognizes another.

A+ for effort, but C- for accuracy.
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