Google’s Next-Gen Network is Delayed by Pole Attachments
Posted by Jesse Ward on Friday, January 27, 2012 · 
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Last March, when Google announced it planned to build a 1 Gpbs FTTH network in Kansas City, I was left with the distinct impression that the Internet giant thought it would be a relatively easy undertaking. After all, Google is not traditionally in the business of network build out, yet the ambitious project was conceived with the intent to showcase next-generation deployment techniques, apps and network characteristics such as open-access and consumer choice.
Nearly 10 months later, the company has been plagued by right-of-way issues that have slowed down the network build out and service launch. It’s difficult to determine just how much of a delay has occurred since Google won’t publicly admit that its network build out is behind schedule. According to the Kansas City Star, a local paper, the company had planned to enroll customers in late 2011, and launch its service in the first quarter of this year. However, Google has yet to install any cables. It’s now estimating a service launch date later this year.
Just what is the holdup? The paper reports that Google is now engaged in a debate about how it will hang its wires on utility poles and the associated fees and costs.
According to the paper, Google had expected that the overarching government of Wyandotte County – a single entity that governs both Kansas City, KS, and the overarching county – could streamline the permitting process because it also owns the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. Indeed, when the project was first announced, the original agreement with the city included just 60-words relating to pole attachment issues and provisions.
In short, Google was given two options. The company could string its cable on the poles in the traditional space reserved for telecom and cable providers, at market approved rates, or a second option — the ability to hang its wires in the space ordinarily reserved for power lines. In the later case, the pole attachment fee would be waived in exchange for Google delivering service to 130 anchor locations such as schools, libraries and city buildings.
Unfortunately for Google, it apparently didn’t count on the costs needed to hang the fiber so close to electric wires, or the need for more skilled and costly technicians. It seems the Internet giant expected its brand reputation would provide the company with an advantage, and the clear the way of red tape faced by all other ISPs.
Traditionally, there have been contentious negotiations between the utility provider, the PUC and telecommunications and cable providers in regard to pole attachment rates, timelines for approval and placement of the cables. In April 2011, the FCC announced a landmark order that provided clarity and uniformity, and was designed to streamline the pole attachment process and rates. However, the order still provides for some flexibility for the local utility and governing authorities to make arrangements which favor certain competitors.
The Kansas City Star spoke to local cable provider SureWest who admitted that it too would have liked to have benefited from free access to pole attachments.
But even with this advantage, there are giant hurdles in the way of building any next-gen network. We’ll keep you posted on Google’s network development and the to-be-announced pricing scheme.
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It is comforting to see that the process is the same regardless of the company – at least for now. Google will figure it out eventually, or bag the effort if they run into too many snags. However, this one will be harder to back away from since they had so much fanfare.
Does anyone else think it is ironic that they are hanging the network which is going to carry 1 Gpbs on pole…in a location know to get ice and other bad weather?