Google Fiber Brings Threat and Opportunity for ISPs

As the head of the largest local independent Internet service provider in Kansas City (KS), James Nelson is both excited and worried about Google's move into his region.

Google has said it plans to share its fiber-to-the-home network with other ISPs. I'm not sure if AT&T, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable, which all provide service in the metro area, will take the search giant up on its offer, but Nelson says he wants to. "This is definitely a mixed bag for us, because Google will be attracting away some of our broadband customers, and at the same time we can leverage that network to offer our own services," says Nelson. "Plus, it's great news overall for Kansas City and tremendous for economic development and business growth here."