> My guess is that extending fiber optic networks
Google tried that: Google Fiber. Apparently it wasn't economical.
> In October 2016, all expansion plans were put on hold and some jobs were cut.
Google tried that: Google Fiber. Apparently it wasn't economical.
> In October 2016, all expansion plans were put on hold and some jobs were cut.
It's that overbuilding a fiber network when there's already a telco and a cable network isn't very economical. It is a pretty good way to convince the incumbents to upgrade to gigabit available speeds though, which makes overbuilding even less economical, but does solve the original problem of slow last mile connections.
I can't stop remembering all those dark fiber stories from a bunch of years ago... All these dotcom dark fiber bundles must have just worn out from throwing off all that competitive white light/white heat in the last 20 years.
Dark fiber is great, but it solves long distance access issues, not last mile residential access issues. Long distance networking is actually subject to pretty healthy competition, if you can get to your local internet exchange, you'll have a wide variety of carriers that can get you anywhere else.
Telco talk makes me grouchy and of course I cannot resist :)
You're right about that dark fiber doing nothing for connecting end users, as you mentioned. As soon as a WISP or municipality lights up the fiber, out come the steep conversion discounts and carpet-bombing PR and if at all possible, the lawyers.
Thanks again, I'll try to ensure I'm not wasting time with grousing in the future.