Google Fiber (NASDAQ: GOOG) has named former Qualcomm executive Dennis Kish as the new head of its fiber broadband project, a move that could signify that the service provider sees the service as more than an experiment.
Kish, who replaces Milo Medin, comes to Google Fiber with plenty of operational expertise. This experience is what Google Fiber needs if it's truly serious about expanding its data and video services into new U.S. cities.
A spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal that Medin will retain his role as vice president of access services and adviser to the Google Fiber team in addition to working on other undisclosed Internet-related projects for the Internet search giant.
In his new position, Kish will report to Craig Barratt, Google's senior vice president, access and energy.
Today, Google Fiber's fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) footprint is confined to only two cities--Kansas City and Provo, Utah--with plans to extend service into Austin, Texas, where it would compete head on with AT&T (NYSE: T), which has already unveiled plans for 1 Gbps-capable service. Earlier this year, Google Fiber said it is eyeing the possibility of bringing the service to another 34 towns and cities, a number of which AT&T said it will also offer a similar fiber-based broadband service. .
In April, AT&T announced that it would expand its fiber network to up to 100 of what it calls candidate cities and municipalities nationwide, including 21 new major metropolitan areas. One of AT&T's target markets is Cupertino, Calif.
For more:
- WSJ has this article (sub. req.)
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