Google Fiber does not currently have good answers about its future in Kansas City

Motherboard, the tech channel of Vice, published a story yesterday taking a look at how Google’s attempt to bring fiber-based internet service to Kansas City has fared, five years after its launch.

Short answer: not great!

As the story notes, two CEOs overseeing Google Fiber have come and gone in the last year, and layoffs are underway. Google Fiber’s plans to expand to other cities in the U.S. are now on hold. In Kansas City, customers who have Google Fiber at their residences are seeing higher monthly bills. The company has also recently reneged on promises to expand in the Kansas City area, offering reimbursements to customers who pre-registered for guaranteed service.

The Vice reporter asked Rachel Hack Merlo, the community manager for Google Fiber in Kansas City, about Google Fiber’s plans for its future in Kansas City. Hack Merlo told her it was “TBD.” She also declined to state how many customers Google Fiber has signed up in KC. 

Hack Merlo went on to say: “We hear loud and clear from communities in the region who are interested in talking with us, but for now we’re heads down in innovation that will help us to do this business in a way that’s maintainable for the long haul.”

Heads down in innovation. Why haven’t the Chiefs won a Super Bowl in 47 years? It’s not because they choke in the playoffs; it’s because they’ve been busy innovating. Any more questions? Sorry, we will not be taking any more questions. 

Related: Google is a dangerous monopoly that should be broken up into pieces.