dslreports logo
 story category
Google Fiber Wins Nashville Pole Vote, Readies for AT&T Lawsuit

With the Nashville city council yesterday voting yes on Google Fiber's plan to streamline utility pole attachment in the city, Google Fiber lawyers are gearing up for an expected lawsuit by AT&T. Google Fiber has been pushing for "one touch make ready" rules in Nashville that could dramatically speed up broadband deployment by letting a licensed and insured contractor move any ISPs gear with permission (often a matter of inches). But fearing a surge in competition AT&T has sued cities like Louisville for adopting such streamlined policies.

Click for full size
The Tennessean notes that Google Fiber is expecting the same behavior by AT&T in Nashville.

"Google Fiber is disappointed that AT&T has threatened to go to court in an effort to block Nashville’s efforts to increase broadband competition should the OTMR ordinance pass,” Fleur Knowlsey, senior counsel of Alphabet’s Access group, which manages Google Fiber, wrote the Nashville city council earlier in the week.

“We believe the city's commonsense initiative will be upheld in the face of any litigation," adds Knowlsey. "We know, however, that litigation can be challenging and expensive. In the event of OTMR litigation, Google Fiber will therefore be glad to share the capabilities of its in-house and outside attorneys, including some of the most experienced and accomplished regulatory attorneys in the industry."

All told, incumbent ISPs like AT&T and Comcast likely know full well these lawsuits won't succeed in stopping Google Fiber, but they certainly benefit from stalling Google Fiber's deployments, allowing them to lock down customers in long term contracts ahead of time. They also certainly benefit from fueling not entirely accurate assessments that Google Fiber lacks the chops to seriously compete in the broadband sector.

Most recommended from 54 comments


Terabit
join:2008-12-19

17 recommendations

Terabit

Member

We The People

Great to hear. It's about time we the people take control of our streets from these self-serving 'private' monopolies.
adam1991
join:2012-06-16
united state

12 recommendations

adam1991

Member

Eminent domain?

What if the municipality declared eminent domain over the poles, and bought them at "fair market value"?

This is, after all, a matter of public interest and serving the public good--as much as or more so than any roadway.
patt2k
join:2009-01-16

2 recommendations

patt2k

Member

Good

Goos shit. Good win!