Google Fiber to pause its rollout of 1Gbps Internet access in US

Google Fiber, which launched a few years ago with the promise of bringing 1Gbps Internet access to many cities across the US, has decided to curtail its once ambitious expansion plans. The company announced today that while it will continue to operate the Internet and TV service in the cities that already have it, or are in the middle of construction, it will “pause our operations and offices” in the remaining cities that were being considered for the service.

With that pause comes word that some of its employees will be laid off as well. Google’s blog post did not offer a specific number, but it did say that Craig Barratt, the CEO of Access (the Alphabet company in charge of Google Fiber) will also be departing; he will remain as an advisor to Alphabet CEO Larry Page.

The blog post, written by Barratt, adds that Google Fiber will be looking at “new technology and deployment methods to make superfast Internet more abundant than it is today.” This could be a reference to using a high-speed wireless technology from WebPass, which was acquired by Google earlier this year. It could give Google Fiber the same 1Gbps speeds at a fraction of the cost of its current wired setup.

What do you think of this news? Surprised or not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.