WE'RE SCALING BACK THIS EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT
Five years ago we told everyone we’d bring Google Fiber to Kansas City, and the goal is still technically to give people fast internet. Back then, nobody had Gigabit speeds and we had no idea if building fiber networks from scratch would actually work or if we could provide decent customer service. Since then, other companies started doing it too, which is fine, I guess.
The team worked hard and we’re making some money, but not enough. I’m supposed to say I’m proud of what we did in five years before I deliver the bad news.
Like any company that's bleeding cash, we have to "pivot" to stay relevant. We’ve "refined our plan," which is corporate speak for cutting costs and changing direction because the current one isn't working. We’re going to stop digging holes in the ground and hope some new wireless technology saves us.
This shift has immediate consequences. If we’ve already started building in your city, we’ll finish it. But for everyone else we’ve been stringing along in "potential Fiber cities," we’re closing the offices and walking away. We appreciate you waiting around for us, but we’re done for now. Because we’re quitting these cities, we’re firing a bunch of people.
As for me, it’s been a long few years trying to turn this mess into a real business. I’ve decided now is the perfect time to quit before things get worse. Larry told me I can stay on as an "advisor" so I don't look like I'm totally jumping ship.
It was a big gamble that didn't really pay off the way we hoped. I’m sure the world will get better internet eventually, just probably not from us. Good luck.
[0] https://fiber.googleblog.com/2016/10/advancing-our-amazing-b...