Regulation hinders Google's FTTH progress

Google shared some of the lessons it has learnt so far during the deployment of its FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) network, claiming that regulation has been one of the biggest hurdles it has had to overcome.

"Regulation can get in the way of innovation," said Kevin Lo, head of access at Google, during a keynote presentation at Broadband World Forum in Paris. "Regulations tied to physical infrastructure sometimes defer the investment altogether." He proceeded to run through some of the issues Google has had to deal with as it rolls out FTTH networks in Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, including what he claimed were "unreasonable" fees and terms and conditions attached to rights of way, which are required before fibre can be put in the ground. Lo also complained that pole attachment agreements do not take broadband providers into account.