Cities across the United States have been dismayed to learn that Google is pausing developments on its fiber-optic network build. However, the company's recent acquisition of Webpass, a fiber and wireless internet provider, bodes well for continued expansion of its one-gig footprint to several new cities—including Miami.
Google's Hold on Fiber Build-Outs
Several cities in Florida were set to receive Google Fiber, Google's fiber-optic gigabit internet services, but problems with fiber network expansions—delayed copper wire installation and utility pole lawsuits, for instance—have shifted the company's rollout plan. Now, the internet giant's sights seem firmly set on supplementing its slower fiber build-outs with wireless gigabit internet services.
Miami was not originally set to receive Google Fiber, but the shift toward wireless has changed that. Webpass, the recently acquired Google company, already provides high-speed internet services to several cities, including Miami. The infrastructure is there—all that remains is to see how Google chooses to further develop the wireless technology.
The Future of Gigabit Internet
Webpass's wireless technology stands to help Google on its mission to expand gigabit internet offerings without the costs that have historically come along with fiber builds. Saving both time and money on builds could be a big deal for Google in light of its recent cutbacks.
Google Fiber hasn't always had such a challenge getting off the ground. In early Fiberhoods, Google relied on existing area infrastructures to determine whether a city was viable for fiber-optic growth. That hasn't worked as well in more recent builds, however—the company has struggled in areas that don't have a usable network already in place. Further, fiber internet is still a work in progress across the board—a lot of its capabilities have yet to be realized, and it will probably take a few more years for a widespread network to become commonplace.
Wireless internet, on the other hand, avoids a lot of the setup costs, as there's substantially less equipment to install and maintain. The move to wireless in Miami was a strategic decision on Google's part, as it gives the company a leg up on competitors AT&T and Comcast, both of which already offer high-speed wired internet to residents throughout Miami. Wireless technology likely won't encounter as many roadblocks, allowing Google to avoid the legal issues that other providers have raised in some Fiberhoods.
A Revitalized Internet Environment for Miami Residents
Google's new presence in Miami could bring a substantial boost to the local economy, as plenty of companies are eager to expand in areas with high-speed Google internet offerings. The low pricing that comes from competition between providers also bodes well for business and residential customers alike. Miami could feasibly be one of the first cities in the nation to demonstrate what it means to have a healthy, competitive internet marketplace.
Though Google's wireless service isn't available city-wide just yet, residents who want faster internet services shouldn't give up hope. There are already substantial internet options available, and it's likely that the current offerings will only improve as wireless developments progress further. That puts Miami in a good position, as Google's efforts should help drive innovation not only in terms of speed, but delivery as well.