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AT&T is fuming at the approval and likely passage of a Nashville, TN, ordinance that would allow Google Fiber to bypass previous obstacles to utility pole access:
Officials in Nashville, Tennessee have voted to give Google Fiber faster access to utility poles, approving an ordinance opposed by AT&T and Comcast. AT&T has already said it would likely sue the city if it implements the new rule. [...] Google Fiber is available in parts of Nashville, but expansion has been slow in part because of how long it takes to get access to utility poles. When Google Fiber attaches wires to a utility pole, other ISPs must first move their own wires to make the pole ready for new wires. The Nashville Electric Service, which owns most of the poles, must also review applications and inspect AT&T's and Comcast's line work before letting Google Fiber attach to any pole. AT&T also owns some of the poles in the city.
The One Touch Make Ready ordinance would let a single company—such as Google Fiber—make all of the necessary wire adjustments itself without having to wait for incumbent providers to send construction crews. Google Fiber applauded the vote last night, saying that "Improving the make-ready construction process is key to unlocking access to a faster Internet for Nashville, and this Ordinance will allow new entrants like Google Fiber to bring broadband to more Nashvillians efficiently, safely and quickly."
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday September 08 2016, @03:16PM
I approve of this initiative. There's no reason that AT&T or any other competitor should be able to hold back progress.
But, there IS a downside for Google.
The last electrician to touch a wire, "owns" that wire. That is, he is responsible for anything that happens to it, by it, or around it.
Example? https://casetext.com/case/harris-v-kellogg-brown-root-servs-inc-3 [casetext.com]
Kellog Brown & Root "owned" the faulty electrical system that killed SSG Maseth. They can't shrug off responsibility to the government, the Army, the Iraqis, or anyone else - they "owned" it once they touched it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 08 2016, @06:06PM
I didn't read it all but that entire decision seems to be concerned about venue. The court did not appear to make any ruling about liability at all (except which state's laws shall apply).
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday September 09 2016, @01:32AM
I apologize, I can't find a link that really supports my statement. But, this video of the House Oversight Committee into Maspeth's and other deaths is interesting. It is demonstrated that the DoD and KBR were aware of deficiencies, and failed to take any action on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wMIAICMEgw [youtube.com]