I’ve long maintained that Google isn’t in the ISP business for the long haul. I said over four years ago that the odds of your city seeing it were astronomically low. Well, now Google is basically saying the same thing. The CEO announced that they have halted expansion of the network, let… Continue reading
A lot of people tend to turn off the critical thinking the minute Google comes to town with their Magic Fiber Elixir. I’ve already spilled a lot of digital ink on why I think it’s a bum deal, so I don’t need to rehash that here. What does need to… Continue reading
I suppose this kind of response to the Google Fiber announcement was inevitable, just as it’s completely false assumptions are. The author gets a number of predictable things wrong. [A]nd finally Provo will be out of the Telcom business. No, it won’t. It’s still paying for the bond, it has… Continue reading
Even before Provo announced that Google Fiber would be taking over iProvo, there’s been a lot of speculation that Google Fiber could potentially take over UTOPIA. UTOPIA made their pitch with 1100 other cities, and I produced my own video explaining why a partnership would be a good deal for… Continue reading
Yep, that’s my final take on Google Fiber taking over iProvo: even though you can, you’re not willing to do any better, so go ahead and take the deal. Google is effectively getting a free lease on the network for a $1 security deposit. Yes, legally, it’s getting “sold” for… Continue reading
After more than a few false rumors concerning Google Fiber in Utah, I dismissed the latest one as being as equally untrue. Boy was I wrong. Like so wrong that I probably can’t express it myself. (That’s okay; plenty of you are doing it for me, some more kindly than… Continue reading
Update: Yep, I totally missed this one, the one time out of dozens that it actually proves to be true. Glad the troll commenters are having a good time with it. Provo (or, more specifically, Mayor John Curtis’ office) has been hyping up an “epic announcement” for weeks now. Somewhere… Continue reading
Some years, muni telecom gets a break. This year isn’t one of them. Rep. Keith Grover has introduced HB273 which would effectively ban Provo from using utility surcharges as a way to cover iProvo debt payment shortfalls. It’s unclear as to if this would have any effect on UTOPIA, but… Continue reading
In an unsurprising move, Veracity Networks will transfer ownership of the iProvo network back to the city of Provo as it has been unable to generate enough revenue to make the purchase feasible. Provo has already instituted a monthly utility charge to all residents and businesses in the city to… Continue reading
The Deseret News brought up that UTOPIA and iProvo are proving to be campaign issues in the upcoming municipal elections. (h/t: Brian Merrell) The article itself provides a good background on the financial details of the networks (and an added bonus that the Utah Taxpayers Association is little more than… Continue reading