What Took So Long?

In a report by Tech Dirt they note:

Back in August a report emerged claiming that Google Fiber executives were having some second thoughts about this whole "building a nationwide fiber network from the ground up" thing. More specifically, the report suggested that some executives were disappointed with the slow pace of digging fiber trenches, and were becoming bullish on the idea of using next-gen wireless to supplement fiber after acquiring fixed wireless provider Webpass. As such, the report said the company was pondering some staff reductions, some executive changes, and a bit of a pivot. Fast forward to this week when Access CEO Craig Barrett posted a cheery but ambiguous blog post not only formally announcing most of these changes, but his own resignation as CEO. According to Barrett, Google will continue to serve and expand Google Fiber's existing markets (Austin, Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas City, Nashville, Provo, Salt Lake City, and The Triangle in North Carolina), and will also build out previously-announced but not yet started efforts in Huntsville, Alabama; San Antonio, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Irvine, California. 

I love the new Valley words; pivot, disrupt, etc.  We have argued for a decade that fiber is too costly and rant with delays and that wireless is the way to go. Yes a decade, ten years, 10% of a century, 1% of a millennium. So much for those bright minds at Google. Perhaps the fact of life has finally hit them in the head.

Now for wireless. You need a license. Lots of them actually. So where do they get them?  Acquisitions, but costly one.