Google Fiber has reportedly delayed its long-gestating plans to bring Gigabit fibre-optic broadband connectivity to San Jose, California, as it considers an alternative wireless solution. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Google Fiber’s change in thinking has been prompted by its recent acquisition of San Francisco-based Webpass, which currently operates a point-to-point wireless solution in the major urban markets of San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Miami, Chicago and Boston, as well as the smaller markets of Emeryville, Berkeley, Miami Beach and Coral Gables.
The newspaper notes that the development comes almost three months after San Jose officials approved a major construction plan to bring Google Fiber to the city. Nearby Mountain View and Palo Alto also were working with Google to get a fibre broadband service, but now this has also been delayed. Sources close to the situation claim that ‘Google is now focusing more on aerial installation’ after running into difficulties accessing privately owned utility poles. City spokesman David Vossbrink told the newspaper: ‘The fibre ball is entirely in Google’s court. We’re very optimistic that their plans for extending their high speed broadband system will include San Jose, even if their original schedule gets modified so they can take advantage of technology advances that might be potentially less disruptive.’