Guests attend the AT&T Audience Network TCA Event at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 5, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Jerod Harris)
AT&T has a written a note to Google Fiber, the Telco gloats over its rival's struggles. AT&T, an American multinational telecommunications conglomerate felt vindicated by the recent reports of struggles at Google Fiber.
The post, titled "Broadband Investment: Not for the Faint of Heart," outlines a timeline of Google Fiber's promises and setbacks, concluding with the zinger: "We will keep an eye on your your next move from our rear view mirror. Oh, and pardon our dust," Yahoo news reported.
Following Google's promise to offer faster internet speeds at lower prices, the service has been a big threat to AT&T and other telcos. But in a series of recent reports, Google's broadband service has garnered disappointing subscription numbers and is scrambling for a new model which will be wireless-based as it cuts back the size of its staff.
The two multinational giants have clashed before, including legal battles over access to utility poles which are still ongoing. But the latest claim by AT&T, which reads as part tantrum, part take-down, stands out for the undisguised derision and sarcasm it heaps on Google, while highlighting what it says is its own $140 billion investment in broadband.
AT&T VP of federal regulatory Joan Marsh writes, "The moral of the story; building reliable and ubiquitous high-speed broadband connectivity is tough."
In the post, Marsh says that Fiber will no doubt continue with its broadband experiments, while coming up with excuses for its shortcomings and learning curves. He added that it will also no doubt continue to seek favoritism from government at every level.
Despite Marsh's tough words, Ars Technica points out that earlier this year AT&T was described by a Tennessee senator as "the highly powerful lobbying firm in the state by far" as it struggled to stop Google from using utility poles in Nashville. The two firms are also locked in a legal battle in Kentucky.
Marsh's last paragraph of post included the harshest burns where he started that Google Fiber still complains it is too hard and costs too much even as it is reported that Google Fiber will try to do all that with half its current workforce.
A Google Fiber spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
Watch a video of the Google Fiber here:
