Because it got other providers to get off their butts. Besides, it's relatively easy to switch providers anyway (where available).
I don't understand why people are scared of using services that have relatively low switching barriers, because they may be shut down one day.
I've used so many services over the years - big tech and from start ups that I've since moved form because they closed down or remained stagnant over better alternatives, and I never had to give it a second thought.
What exactly do you think is the "risk" of going with Google in these situations as a consumer?
I know people who have Google Fiber, and love it - super fast Internet at reasonable prices. If it got turned off, they would just go with someone else. What exactly do you think the downside is? As a municipality, sure, as the article explains. But as an end consumer, what's the problem?
> What exactly do you think is the "risk" of going with Google in these situations as a consumer?
Where I am, if you relinquish your DSL, you might not be able to get it back, because the telco only has a limited number of ports on their equipment and between new construction and equipment wear and tear, you might not have a port available to serve you. Some places, servicable copper pairs are in short supply too --- my parents have to get switched to a new pair every year or two.
If many people switched away, but then had to switch back, it'd be a mess, and I wouldn't expect to be able to get the same quality dual pair service that I have now.
Well for one thing, I value my time. Dealing with getting a new service provider because the last one just decided to stop doing business is pretty low on the list of things I'd like to do with my time.
For another, Google has a ridiculous reputation for customer service. Even saying that is being generous, because most Google services just don't have customer service, at all.
I keep hearing "just go with someone else if they shut down" - so there clearly are alternative services available, presumably ones for whom providing a fibre service to customers is actually a core part of their business and revenue, rather than a side-gig of questionable long-term value to the corporation.
People go with Google Fiber because it's a better product: speeds are faster and prices are lower. Literally every single person I know who has Google Fiber is a huge fan.
"For another, Google has a ridiculous reputation for customer service." Uhh, yeah, because Comcast and AT&T are famous for their stellar customer service.
Give it a rest, man. I get annoyed as much as anyone with Google's "shiny object" penchants, but this isn't one of those cases.
On one hand, I agree with you - Google Fiber is good (although they just raised my price). On the other hand, you must admit "your customer service is better than Comcast's" isn't really glowing praise.
> I get annoyed as much as anyone with Google's "shiny object" penchants, but this isn't one of those cases.
The article is literally about them abandoning it in a given city because an idea that doesn't pass the sniff test worked out terribly. This is very much Google abandoning a shiny object just because.
> Google has a ridiculous reputation for customer service.
Have you tried Comcast customer service? It's shit. I've had better support with paid Google services (both Pixel and Workspace) than Comcast.
Google has bad customer service reputation only for its free products, which is not unexpected. If someone values good support, then a different paid service is an obvious alternative over a free Google service.
> This suggests there's alternative services available anyway, so why take the risk on Google at all?
Isn't that for people to decide for themselves? Few reasons I can think of: preference, trust, integrations, better features, don't want to support Comcast, etc.
Google fiber is just another thing in the Google graveyard. I’ve switched away from almost every Google product with maps and gmail being the last holdouts. I mostly use Apple Maps but there’s nothing as convenient as gmail and workspaces. If Apple offered email again I would switch to it for sure.
Google Calendar and Photos work well IME. Also, GoogleTV (Android TV) is great, since you can side-load apps like SmartTubeNext. Same goes for Android phones, where Firefox Nightly plus uBO (plus another extension to allow turning off the screen) let me listen to YouTube at work without any ad interruptions.
Apple stuff is useless because it only works on Apple devices, and doesn't let me share with friends who don't have Apple devices, and generally isn't friendly to ad-blocking.
> Apple stuff is useless because it only works on Apple devices
This logic doesn’t make sense. I only have Apple devices and it’s quite awesome. Android is buggy as hell and not integrated at all. My Apple devices are completely integrated with the entire Apple ecosystem. Spoken as an android fanboy from the G1 until the pixel 3xl.
I don't understand why people are scared of using services that have relatively low switching barriers, because they may be shut down one day.
I've used so many services over the years - big tech and from start ups that I've since moved form because they closed down or remained stagnant over better alternatives, and I never had to give it a second thought.