Google Fiber and Webpass, sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G.
In IT Blogwatch, bloggers ponder symmetric gigabit for $50/month. Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment. Not to mention: Alien Selection…
Alphabet is boosting its Google Fiber team with Webpass, a San Francisco-based ISP. The idea is to bring ludicrously-fast Internet access to more people, more quickly.
What’s the craic? John Ribeiro—Google Fiber to add urban coverage and wireless:
Google Fiber is acquiring Internet service provider Webpass. … The acquisition will give the Alphabet business a headstart in many markets.
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Webpass…has operations in San Francisco, Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, San Diego, Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Chicago and Boston. … The companies expect the deal to close this summer, subject to…regulatory approvals.
Situational irony: An acquisition that’s good for customers? Jon Russell leaves this here: [You’re fired -Ed.]
Webpass operates its own gigabit network. … It will also help [Google] get into the business and residential markets where taking on established and incumbent competitors is hugely challenging.
Payday for the 13-year-old company, then. Webpass president Charles Barr blogs—Google Fiber agrees to acquire Webpass:
Google Fiber and Webpass share a commitment to creating fast, abundant Internet connectivity. … Webpass has tens of thousands of customers across 5 major markets in the U.S., and we hope to reach many more…with Google Fiber.
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I started this company 13 years ago to deliver a simple, high quality Internet connection to as many people as possible. … I’m very much looking forward to this next chapter. … Thank you to all of our loyal customers.
Finally, some customers will get a choice. Chance Miller continues to expand:
The acquisition should help Google tremendously with its Fiber rollout in San Francisco. … By joining forces with Webpass, Google Fiber can take advantage of both infrastructures and expedite the rollout.
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It’s unclear at this point how much the deal is worth.
But is it as simple as just joining forces to roll out faster? Duncan Riley drives the point home:
Of particular interest to Google is Webpass’s use of wireless technology…an emerging area in high-speed internet delivery. Webpass uses a mixture of point-to-point radio and fiber. … Small millimeter-wave radios that connect to the Internet are installed on the rooftops of Webpass buildings with the connection then delivered to residential units and businesses via an Ethernet cable.
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The deal is notable for Google Fiber’s growth ambitions for…their desire to buy into that infrastructure so as to gain access to large buildings, many of which are difficult to access due to incumbent players often having exclusive access.
And lo, there was dancing in the streets. Here’s The_Falcoholic:
I’m stuck with Comcast for now. Google fiber has only came to apartments where I live. And there’s no other competition here. But as soon as fiber is available, I’m switching. I hate Comcast.
