Google Fiber

AT&T took some not so subtle shots at Google Fiber recently. This happening among rumors of Google Fiber downsizing it's personnel and moving to a more wireless-centric solution. Everyone seems to be asking what's up with Google Fiber? An interesting observation from the AT&T post:

February 2010: Google announces its intent to build ultra-high-speed fiber-fed broadband networks with plans to serve around five million subscribers in five years; 1100 cities respond to Google’s Request for Information in an effort to become a Google Fiber City.
Today: Google Fiber has deployed a fiber network in parts of seven out of the 1100 interested cities, but otherwise hits the pause button as Google Fiber learns something we’ve known for over a hundred years – deploying communications networks is hard and takes an enormous amount of time, money and skilled labor.

Emphasis added. There are a lot of risks and hurdles in building a fiber network. An interesting take-away for many municipalities looking to build their own FTTH projects. Don't underestimate the risks and costs involved in such projects!

A Coming Wireless Urban Divide?

By some accounts there are over 85 million fixed network broadband connections and also 235 million wireless broadband connections.  That means there is almost one broadband connection per citizen of the US - but that doesn't mean everyone is connected. Is there a coming wireless urban divide?

AT and T's 2Q12 Earnings Highlights Notes

Some interesting things to point out regarding AT and T's second quarter 2012 earnings announcement.