Google Fiber puts 1-Gig network expansion decision on hold

Google Fiber (NASDAQ: GOOG) has delayed an announcement about where it will extend its 1 Gbps fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) data and video services until "early next year," according to various reports.

The service provider announced in February that it was examining how to expand its service into nine metro markets and up to 34 cities. It originally set a goal to reveal those locations by the end of this year.

At this point, Google Fiber is working with each of its target cities to get a better handle on the specific rules and regulations.

"This year gigabit Internet has moved from idea to reality, as mayors and city leaders across America have stepped up and made high-speed broadband access a priority for their community," a Google Fiber official said in a statement. "We've been working closely with cities around the U.S. to figure out how we could bring them Google Fiber, and we're grateful for their vision, commitment, and plain old hard work. While we were hoping to have an update for cities before the holidays, we have a bit more work to wrap up; we'll be back in touch sometime early next year."

Among some of Google Fiber's targets is Portland, Ore., a market where it was granted a franchise in June. In crafting a deal with the city, Portland city commissioners had to agree to tone down some of their restrictions on the placement of utility cabinets along rights of way. 

Similar to other markets like Austin, Texas, where Google Fiber has announced its intention to deliver service, Portland's incumbent telco is already responding to the Internet search giant's move. According to a report in The Oregonian, incumbent telco CenturyLink has begun installing fiber to various Portland neighborhoods with the possibility of delivering its Prism IPTV service in the city sometime in 2015.

For more:
- Multichannel News has this article
- The Oregonian has this article

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