[jsz0]

> How do they explain why Google is getting special treatment?

Not exactly special treatment just the benefit of not being an incumbent telco/cable provider. They don't have to face the same regulations (both state/local) and that translates into lower costs to build infrastructure. Google's more likely to get special treatment because they are a very wealthy company. You can bet they are already dreaming up what regulations they will apply to Google once they have sufficient skin in the game. It also acts as a nice bit of leverage against the incumbent telco/cable providers. This is not exactly a bad thing overall. It probably is in the best interest of the tax payers and voters.

It's just ironic to see people cheering this on when it's the same exact strategy of self interest that created cable/telco monopolies. Why should we expect a different result here? I bet you 5-10 years down the road the exclusive rights to operate a 10G-PON FTTH network in San Antonio will be for sale to the highest bidder. Google will have to pay up to remain competitive or exit the market. The incumbent cable or telco provider will buy up the rights. The municipality will have a nice little payday. Rinse & repeat. I don't know why people are cheering.

[politician]

Because shoddy, expensive service that's faster is better than shoddy, expensive, and slow service? Come on, that's not even difficult to answer.

[Avenger42]

Don't forget that Google Fiber in Kansas City offers a free tier (with $300 installation fee).

So if you're insistent on calling both options shoddy, then you've got "shoddy, expensive and slow" versus two options: "shoddy, expensive and fast", or "shoddy, cheap and slow".