Phoenix City Council approves Google Fiber cable license
Sep 3, 2015, 12:01 PM | Updated: 1:15 pm
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Phoenix may soon get a new high-speed Internet and cable provider as the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved a cable license for Google Fiber on Wednesday.
“When it comes to the Internet, speed matters,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said in a press release. “Today’s decision will help our ability as a community to offer the ultra-fast service that is fundamental to competing and innovating in the 21st century economy.”
Stanton said the approval was a “key step forward,” to seeing Google Fiber in Phoenix.
“Ultra-fast Internet speeds are critical to our Innovation Infrastructure,” he said.
The license doesn’t guarantee building, but, “grants Google Fiber the authority to use city streets and rights-of-way to provide cable television and Internet services within Phoenix,” according to the release.
The company’s application for a cable television license states, “we are planning our potential service deployment do that most people in Phoenix will have the chance to get Google Fiber.”
Though there may be areas difficult for fiber construction, “our ultimate goal is to bring service to bring service to as many people as possible,” according to the application.
Phoenix isn’t the only Arizona city trying to get Google Fiber as Tempe’s city council approved the installation of Google Fiber lines above ground in July.
Currently, Google Fiber services are available in Kansas City, Austin and Provo.
