AT&T just wrote a killer note to Google Fiber that's part take-down, part tantrum
In an unusually scathing and amusing blog post, AT&T goes out of its way to gloat over its rival's struggles.
The post, titled Broadband Investment: Not for the Faint of Heart," provides a timeline of Google Fiber's promises and setbacks, concluding with the zinger: "We'll be watching your next move from our rear view mirror. Oh, and pardon our dust."
Google's service has been a big threat to AT&T and other telcos since it promised to offer faster internet speeds at lower prices. But a series of recent reports noted that Google's broadband service has garnered disappointing subscription numbers and is scrambling for a new wireless-based model as it cuts back the size of its staff.
The two corporate giants have clashed before, including ongoing legal battles over access to utility poles. But the latest salvo by AT&T, which reads as part take-down, part-tantrum, stands out for the undisguised derision and sarcasm it heaps on Google, while touting what it says is its own $140 billion investment in broadband.
"Moral of the story," writes AT&T VP of federal regulatory Joan Marsh, "Building reliable, ubiquitous high-speed broadband connectivity is tough."
Broadband "experiments"
In the post, Marsh says that Fiber "will no doubt continue its broadband experiments, while coming up with excuses for its shortcomings and learning curves. It will also no doubt continue to seek favoritism from government at every level."
Despite Marsh's sanctimoniousness, Ars Technica points out that earlier this year a Tennessee senator described AT&T as "the most powerful lobbying organization in this state by far" as it battled to stop Google from using utility poles in Nashville. The two companies are locked in a legal battle in Kentucky, too.
The last paragraph of Marsh's post includes the harshest burns:
A Google Fiber spokesperson wasn't immediately available for comment.
You can read the full post here.