Google Fiber thanks city for pole ordinance

A top Google Fiber official has posted a blog expressing strong support for the city's passage of an ordinance easing the way for the installation of a network for ultrafast Internet.

The blog was posted this week by Chris Levendos, Google Fiber's director of national deployment and operations.

"We were heartened and encouraged when ... the (Louisville Metro Council) unanimously passed an ordinance that paves the way for its residents having access to faster and better broadband," he wrote. "So yesterday (Thursday) when we heard that AT&T was suing the city of Louisville for passing this so-called 'One Touch Make Ready' rule, we were disappointed.

"Google Fiber stands with the City of Louisville – and the other cities across the country – that are taking steps to bring faster, better broadband to their residents. Such policies reduce cost, disruption and delay by allowing the work needed to prepare a utility pole for new fiber to be attached in as little as a single visit – which means more safety for drivers and the neighborhood.

"This work would be done by a team of contractors the pole owner itself has approved, instead of having multiple crews from multiple companies working on the same pole over weeks or months. One Touch Make Ready facilitates new network deployment by anyone – and that's why groups representing communities and fiber builders support it, too."

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Levendos said Google Fiber is "confident the city's common-sense initiative will be upheld" and will prevail in the lawsuit.

Levendos noted that Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released a statement that the city intends to "vigorously defend the lawsuit filed by AT&T. Gigabit Fiber is too important to our city's future."

Levendos added on the blog, "We couldn’t agree with you more, and stand with you."

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AT&T filed the suit in federal court Thursday, alleging that Louisville lacks jurisdiction to allow high-speed Internet service providers such as Google Fiber to install equipment on its utility poles.  AT&T said it welcomes competition in providing Louisville residents with faster online access but that the so-called "One Touch Make Ready" ordinance passed earlier this month violates state and federal rules.

AT&T claimed that the Metro Council has no legal grounds for regulating pole attachments. Thus the ordinance is void, the company contended.

The ordinance would allow high-speed Internet providers to install their new equipment on utility poles owned by AT&T and possibly move other companies' installations.

Time Warner Cable had joined AT&T in opposing the measure.

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Meanwhile, Google Fiber is proceeding with assessing whether it can install a fiber-optics network in Louisville that would provide exceptionally quick Internet service.

If the fiber network is installed, Google Fiber might provide Internet access around 20 times faster than conventional broadband, city officials said when they announced last fall that the company had agreed to put Louisville near the head of the class among dozens of communities that had also sought the network.

Ultrafast Internet service is widely seen as a boon for business attraction and retention.

Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at (502) 582-7089, or via email at sshafer@courier-journal.com.