Google Fiber Tells FCC To Go Title II And…

Eschew forbearance of Section 224 because that will open up last mile fiber competition. What’s that? While Verizon and AT&T have stated unequivocally that regulating the internet industry under Title II of the Telecommunications Act will kill investment, Google Fiber says bring it and let fiber to the home blossom!

In a letter to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Google Fiber lays out the case for regulating the internet under Title II and, importantly, not forbearing implementation of Section 224, as President Obama suggested back in November. As noted in their letter, Title II + Section 224 would provide Google Fiber access to existing infrastructure, like poles and conduits, which would radically accelerate Google’s investment in and roll out of fiber.

“Pole access is fundamental and Google will never be able to make the case for Google Fiber without pole access,” said Reed Hundt, who was FCC chairman in the 1990s. “If Title II gives Google pole access, then it might really rock the world with broadband access.”

Hundt added that “I interpret this as mild support for the President’s position. That’s a lot better than opposition.”

What might that look like? In Seattle, where multiple gigabit fiber vendors have access to traditional telecommunications infrastructure, like telephone poles, there is fiber competition. Also, consider Kansas City, MO and Austin, TX where Google Fiber’s arrival has spurred competitors, like Time Warner and AT&T, to radically upgrade their offerings…

What’s your take?