Google Fiber Says It Won’t Sell Service in Leawood
Most people do not realize that cable companies are more under the control of local bodies such as Public Utility and Cable commissions than they are under the control of Federal agencies. The reason for this is that the cable exists in public right of ways controlled by local authorities and not the FCC in Washington. So if you have sucky cable choices, it’s most likely locals politicians who control your options and cable fate.
Google Fiber told prospective customers in Leawood on Thursday that it won’t build its network in the prosperous Johnson County suburb.
“We’ve been working hard to figure out how to make a fiber (optic) construction project work in Leawood,” the company said in an email to people who had registered to be future customers. “But we’ve found that it would require a much more difficult construction effort and schedule than planned. So unfortunately we won’t be bringing Google Fiber to Leawood.”
A company spokeswoman issued a nearly identical statement. It didn’t elaborate on what prompted the seller of ultra-fast Internet and TV service to back out of one of the most prosperous — and potentially lucrative — cities in the Kansas City market.
Leawood City Administrator Scott Lambers said an agreement the city signed with Google in August 2013 prohibits him from talking publicly about any discussions with the California company. He did confirm, however, that it was Google’s decision to pull out of Leawood.