Google Fiber irks Kansas City residents by placing RT cabinet in middle of sidewalk

Google Fiber's (Nasdaq: GOOG) unusual placement of a utility cabinet that houses its fiber equipment--in the middle of a sidewalk--has incited the rage of Kansas City, Mo., residents, reports local FOX News network affiliate WDAF TV.

The fiber to the home (FTTH) provider's faux pas has gotten the attention of community groups that say public ways like sidewalks should be free of any obstacles.

Sheila Styron, a representative for The Whole Person, a group that supports independent living by the disabled, said that Google Fiber is violating a tenet of the Americans with Disabilities Act that says there should be three feet of clearance on public sidewalks, allowing enough space for a wheelchair to get through.

"It's been on the books for a long time that public rights (of way) have to be accessible, and we can't create barriers for people with access issues," Styron said.

According to Rick Usher, a representative from the city manager's office, six Google Fiber cabinets were installed incorrectly.

When asked by WDAF about the issue, Google Fiber acknowledged its mistake and said it is working with its contractor, Ervin Cable Construction, to assess the changes needed for each site.

Battles between residents and the placement of utility cabinets have become a common problem as service providers expand broadband access services to more neighborhoods. Similar issues took place with AT&T (NYSE: T) in Greensboro, N.C. and San Francisco.

For more:
- WDAF has this story

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