Google’s Internet Access Efforts Are Led by a Geek’s Geek

Craig Barratt is Google’s senior vice president, Access and Energy, and is helping the company its planned move into cellphone service. Barratt is leading Google’s effort to extend Internet access, via fiber-optic lines, drones and satellites.

In practice that means delivering Google search and other services to more people, with fewer constraints from broadband and wireless providers. The job requires him to connect disparate projects, lobby regulators and dance delicately with potential partners and rivals. Barratt’s role is crucial to Google’s plan to make its service competitive and profitable. People familiar with the strategy say Google hopes to rely as much as possible on local Wi-Fi networks, and as little as possible on Sprint and T-Mobile.