Google takes to the web to support Louisville in AT&T lawsuit

When Google decided to get into the Internet access business by offering fiber connections, part of their motivation was to disrupt the market for Internet access. Google saw it as stagnant and offering a substandard product. Of course, Google does have a bit of a vested interest in consumers being able to access fast broadband Internet. It should be no surprise when a company like AT&T files a lawsuit like they did this week to slow down Google's process. Although not the target of the lawsuit, Google has issued their support for Louisville.

On the Google Fiber blog, Google Fiber's Director of National Deployment and Operations, Chris Levendos, says:

“Google Fiber stands with the City of Louisville and the other cities across the country that are taking steps to bring faster, better broadband to their residents. Such policies reduce cost, disruption, and delay, by allowing the work needed to prepare a utility pole for new fiber to be attached in as little as a single visit…”

In Louisville, the step that has drawn the ire of AT&T is a new rule called “One Touch Make Ready” that attempts to regulate pole attachments. AT&T filed a lawsuit claiming the City of Louisville has no jurisdiction to regulate pole attachments, an authority that is reserved for the Kentucky Public Service Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.

Levendos indicates Google is “disappointed” that AT&T is trying to block Louisville's efforts to expand broadband access. Levendos also sent a pointed message to Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer to let him know that Google “couldn't agree with you more” in reference to the importance of gigabit fiber to the city and that Google would “stand with you.”

source: Google Fiber