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Don’t expect Google Fiber to come to your town anytime soon

Published May 23rd, 2013 10:45AM EDT
Google Fiber National Rollout

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Google Fiber has taken the United States, and the world, by storm. Google is looking to shake things up with extremely fast Internet speeds available at reasonable prices, while at the same time pressuring traditional industry players to adapt. But millions of Americans will be forced to settle with the mediocre speeds provided by their current Internet service providers, unfortunately. A recent report from market research firm IHS iSuppli suggests that Google is unlikely to deploy Fiber on a nationwide level. The firm believes the cost of building a national Fiber infrastructure will be too high for Google and the company is expected to remain a minor player in the U.S. broadband market.

“While the deployment of Google Fiber to the cities may capture attention, the company’s plans are miniscule compared to what its competitors undertake in the overall market,” said Dexter Thillien, senior analyst for multiplay at IHS. “AT&T and Verizon have spent many billions of dollars establishing fiber networks in larger population centers, something Google is unlikely to be able to match.”

The firm notes that deploying fiber optic service is a “risky endeavor,” with most companies not expecting to break even quickly. Google has benefited greatly from other companies’ failed attempts, buying up unused fiber to build out its own service. While Google is “being opportunistic” in bringing its high-speed broadband to various locations, it still faces many hurdles.

Google Fiber is seen as an experiment to gauge how consumers use the Internet when given faster speeds and more bandwidth. The company is also using its service to learn about future consumer trends and to gain a better understanding of how consumers use its core service, such as advertising, which will allow it to develop new products to meet the growing needs of consumers.

Although it would be costly to expand an experiment to a national level, IHS notes that Fiber could become a long-term undertaking for Google if it were found to be successful in helping the company substantially boost sales from other businesses.

Dan joins the BGR team as the Android Editor, covering all things relating to Google’s premiere operating system. His work has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn’t testing the latest devices or apps, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.