| Message Text: |
Google parent Alphabet is resetting the Google Fiber project, with Craig Barratt, head of the Access unit that includes Google Fiber to leave along with about 9 percent of staff.
Google has been planning to expand its Fiber fast internet service to more than 20 cities. However, Barratt wrote in a blog that the company is pulling back fiber-to-the-home service from eight different cities where it had announced plans. Those include major metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Los Angeles and Phoenix. In terms of existing footprint, in the cities where Google has launched or are under construction, the work will continue.
Google's Access unit has has about 1,500 employees, meaning there will be more than 130 job losses in the company.
Five years ago, Google had announced it would bring Google Fiber to Kansas City, with the cision to connect more people to superfast and abundant Internet. At that time, Gigabit residential speeds were unheard of and built-from-the-ground-up Fiberhood designs and builds were as yet unproven.
Barrat said that in order the Access unit to stay competitive business, the company has to continue not only to grow, but also stay ahead of the curve - pushing the boundaries of technology, business, and policy - to remain a leader in delivering superfast Internet.
"We have refined our plan going forward to achieve these objectives. It entails us making changes to focus our business and product strategy. Importantly, the plan enhances our focus on new technology and deployment methods to make superfast Internet more abundant than it is today," he said. |