It sucks for Google Fiber ( and anyone wanting the service), but it's been a win for consumers in Google fiber markets. In places where Google has only announced they're going to go the existing providers have already started offering higher speeds. One of the dreaded ISPs close by announced gig speeds within months of Google's coming soon announcement.
Google Fiber was built on classic Google arrogance. Reportedly Google tried to get city councils to legislate them a loophole so they could access and use AT&T-owned poles without agreeing to follow the same regulations other telecoms were required to follow. Google wanted to use AT&T equipment at telecom rates without actually having to be a telecom[0].<p>And when they weren't able to cheat to accomplish their goals, they started looking at wireless solutions now. It seems Google has quickly learned that apparently deploying fiber networks really is expensive, and you can't "just" give everyone gigabit fiber for $60 a month when you have to play by the rules.<p>[0]<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/12/why-att-says-it-can-deny-google-fiber-access-to-its-poles-in-austin/" rel="nofollow">http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/12/why-att-says-it-c...</a>