AT&T: Google Fiber Demands Government Favors To hear AT&T tell it, Google Fiber has a long history of over-promising, under-delivering and threatening city governments.

By Tom Brant

This story originally appeared on PCMag

Google via PC Mag

In a strongly-worded memo posted to its website this week, AT&T accused Google's Fiber division of seeking government favors and failing to follow through on its plans to offer high-speed broadband and wireless Internet.

"Instead of playing by the same rules as everyone else building infrastructure, Google Fiber demands special treatment and indeed in some places is getting it, unfairly," AT&T Vice President Joan Marsh wrote. She offered a list of several missteps since Google joined the ISP business nearly ten years ago as evidence that the tech company can't deliver on its promises.

Those missteps include the planned rollout of gigabits-per-second public Wi-Fi, which largely fizzled after Google announced it in 2007. The company is once again revisiting that proposal, though, as it seeks cheaper alternatives to installing fiber cables and other infrastructure.

AT&T and other ISPs, of course, are facing the same challenges. But cooperation seems to be out of the question: AT&T is using lawsuits and other tactics to hinder Google Fiber's expansion. Ultimatley, Marsh said her company is in a better position to invest in and deliver fiber-based broadband.

"Between 2011 and 2015, while Google Fiber was cutting its teeth on fiber, AT&T invested over $140B in its network, building to over one million route miles of fiber globally and deploying ultra-high-speed fiber-fed GigaPower broadband services, reaching over a hundred cities," she said.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on AT&T's accusations. But notwithstanding their incendiary tone, they are well-timed: rumors have been flying in recent weeks that Google's Fiber division is struggling. In addition to seeking cheaper wireless alternatives in its quest to serve 5 million customers by the end of the decade, it is reportedly cutting its staff in half as it looks to reduce costs.

Wavy Line
Tom Brant

News reporter

Tom is PCMag's San Francisco-based news reporter. 

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Business News

'All Hell Is Going to Break Loose': Barbara Corcoran Issues Warning About Real Estate Market, Interest Rates

The "Shark Tank" star appeared on FOX Business' "The Claman Countdown" this week.

Business Plans

How to Change Careers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to make a career change without compromising your finances or future? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to change careers to learn more.

Career

The Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Services

Are you looking for a job that pays well in consumer services? Check out this comprehensive breakdown to learn all you need to know.

Money & Finance

What Is Annual Income? Here's How to Calculate It.

Want to know how much money your business or personal budget brings in each year? Discover how to calculate annual income in this detailed guide.

Branding

How I Made Money From My Book Without Selling a Single Copy

Did you know you can make money with a book without selling copies? Here's exactly how I did it.

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.