With Wireless ISP Acquisition, Google Fiber Wireless Intentions Becoming More Clear

There has been growing speculation regarding intentions for a Google Fiber wireless service to deliver gigabit via fixed wireless in recent weeks. The acquisition of wireless Internet service provider Webpass by Google Fiber offers some clarity to that speculation.

Google Fiber is getting into the fixed wireless business, perhaps in a big way. Webpass is a San Francisco (CA) based wireless ISP with operations in several markets, including San Francisco, Oakland (CA), Emeryville (CA), Berkeley (CA), San Diego (CA), Miami (FL), Miami Beach (FL), Coral Gables (FL), Chicago (IL), and Boston (MA). With this acquisition, Google Fiber just expanded their ISP business into additional major markets, including Boston, Miami, and Chicago. Google Fiber has been searching for a way to deploy ISP services in a quicker, more economical way than overbuilding cities with fiber – a very expensive and time consuming approach. They’ve been testing fixed wireless in the 3.5 GHz wireless spectrum band in Kansas City for some time. Apparently, they like what they see. By acquiring an established wireless ISP, Google Fiber wireless service is now accelerating. Webpass claims residential services of up to a gigabit already, although their focus appears to be more on business customers and multidwelling units.