Big Black Eye for Google as it Shuts Down its Fiber Access Network in Louisville, Kentucky

BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: As Google says goodbye to the first of its fiber cities in which it has actually deployed connectivity, questions swirl about what happens to the network already in place. In its blog post, Google refers to “learn[ing]” by failing,” and links to an article about challeng

Big Black Eye for Google as it Shuts Down its Fiber Access Network in Louisville, Kentucky
An Indiana windmill farm. Photo by Justin Leonard.

BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: As Google says goodbye to the first of its fiber cities in which it has actually deployed connectivity, questions swirl about what happens to the network already in place. In its blog post, Google refers to “learn[ing]” by failing,” and links to an article about challenges of exposed fiber lines and a faulty construction process. To stay active in the community, Google said, it would have to “essentially rebuild our entire network in Louisville.” That didn’t meet the company’s profitability guidelines.

Saying Goodbye to Louisville, from Googleblog:

Over the years, we’ve said a lot of hellos. (Or, more accurately, “Hey there’s.”)

Our first was in 2012, with a big hello to Kansas City. Then, in 2014, Austin and Provo. After that came Charlotte, Atlanta, Orange County, Salt Lake City, Raleigh-Durham, Nashville. Most recently, in 2017, it was hello to Huntsville, Louisville and San Antonio.

Today, we’re saying goodbye to one of our Fiber cities. And it ain’t easy.

After a lot of analysis, we’ve made the tough decision to leave Louisville, Kentucky. As we told our customers today, we will be turning off the network on April 15 and their next two months of service are on us.

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Source: Google Fiber Blog: Saying Goodbye to Louisville