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Google Fiber Huts Get Smaller After San Antonio Complaints

Google Fiber has revamped its network construction plans in San Antonio after city residents complained about Google Fiber's placement of necessary network infrastructure in city parks. A number of the 32 by 50 foot fenced in huts were scheduled to be installed in parks, annoying residents that didn't want to see park space wasted, and say Google Fiber didn't do a very good job (read: any) informing them that the huts would be installed. Seventeen huts were planned, and two had already been constructed.

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After a period of silence during which the city and Google Fiber didn't appear to have been talking, Google Fiber says the company has revamped its deployment plans.

This apparently involves new, smaller and less ugly fiber huts that are being deployed around the city. It also involves dismantling the older, bigger huts, built back in 2016, that many park neighbors say they weren't informed were even going to be built.

“The lack of transparency. The fact that they didn't talk to the neighbors. They skipped many of the rules that they require many of the citizens to conform with,” John Whitsett, a resident who lives near the park, tells local San Antonio News outlets.

Google Fiber says the company will be building the remainder of the fiber huts in less conspicuous locations -- with the full blessing of city residents. Google Fiber says the company is also ramping up its experimentations with microtrenching, which uses a machine to dig just 12-inches deep under the edge of the road, avoiding digging on local homeowners' property and minimizing disruption during fiber deployment.

Most recommended from 28 comments



r81984
Fair and Balanced
Premium Member
join:2001-11-14
Katy, TX

24 recommendations

r81984

Premium Member

Come to Houston

Put a lawn fridge in my yard, I dont care as long as I get get a gig for $50 a month.
ATT is 18 mbps for around $55 a month.
kherr
Premium Member
join:2000-09-04
Collinsville, IL

13 recommendations

kherr

Premium Member

Progress ...

We want water, but you can see that UGLY tower for miles ....... move it where you can't see it !!!!!!

May communities would gladly welcome Google ......

as far as you can tell, it could be a maintenance shed

F100
join:2013-01-15
Durham, NC
Alcatel-Lucent G-010G-A
(Software) pfSense
Pace 5268AC

1 edit

12 recommendations

F100

Member

Reposting news Stories

Karl, we appreciate the news stories for the front page but come on. I posted the link to this article back on November 1st in the Google fiber section on page 4 of the San Antonio post. »San Antonio residents fighting google. Hut placement map revealed

It feels a little dishonest you don't give some credit to the post where you got the information from. Even if you don't acknowledge my contribution, at least don't throw the other users that actually provide information to DSLR under the bus as well. I do see you link to the threads often so I'm hoping it's just an oversight.

Others have posted about more micro trench work in Raleigh as well with pictures. »Raleigh/Durham - Microtrenching work (photos) Personally I'm glad they used conduit on my street even though I can see how other home owners complain about the install process.
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT

6 recommendations

BiggA

Premium Member

Microtrenching

Is going to be a disaster. There will be cut fiber lines all the time. This stuff should be put down 48" in conduit laid in crushed stone, just like other utilities.
Slyster
join:2015-01-08
Sugar Grove, VA

4 recommendations

Slyster

Member

Hey Google

I have 10 Acres of land. I will even let you build one these fiber huts for free on it. No complaints , no whining , no wait. Come and get it.

Provide fiber internet to those that will actually appreciate it.
mwebb1984
join:2003-10-20
San Antonio, TX

4 recommendations

mwebb1984

Member

:)

"No parking" signs are going up throughout my neighborhood right now, today! For Google fiber microtrenching!

I had just dumped charters cable package a couple weeks ago (and relative sign up for internet only as a "new customer"). Guess I'll get to cancel the new plan in a month or two.