Google Fiber Team Digs Into BBWF

Beyond generating local headlines in cities where it's deploying broadband, Google Fiber has been pretty low-key since the sudden departure of its CEO -- a.k.a. Chief Exiting Officer as Light Reading's resident haiku posited. Gregory McCray left the building after only five months at the helm.

Apparently, that's about to change as a couple of executives take to the Broadband World Forum stage later this month to share the company's perspective on a number of technologies and successes. No word, however, whether it also will use this as an opportunity to introduce the next leader of Google Fiber. (See Google Fiber: Disruptor Is Disrupted (Again).)

		Google Fiber continues to recruit communications technologists, according to a quick search of job openings on LinkedIn . But with no CEO, a fiber construction freeze and a much lower profile, has Google Fiber's charter changed?   No. Once Alphabet hires a new CEO it'll be all systems go again for Google Fiber.   No. Google Fiber did want it wanted: It shook up the market and now it can get out.   Maybe. Google will reassess once it completes its commitments in current cities and may expand through wireless links.   Yes. Google Fiber misjudged the market: It was too expensive and now it needs to get out.   Yes. No way Google Fiber will ever add more cities.   Yes. I blame the Russians.

We do know Cedric Lam, engineering director, will unveil Go-Long, Google's new passive optical network (PON) technology on Oct. 26 at 2:35 p.m. local time. Go-Long is Google's Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed Super PON (TWDM Super PON), a new standard the vendor claims reduces network operating and investment costs because it extends the transmission distance. This, in turn, cuts the number of central offices that must deploy optical line termination (OLT), thereby reducing equipment, power and space expenditures.

Looking to remind attendees of Google's success in the communications world, Gulzar Azad, country head, Connectivity for India at Google, is scheduled to share a case study on the company's support of connectivity for and involvement in smart city projects around India. Azad will share an overview of India's telecommunications industry, the opportunities within this market, possible monetization models and Google's long-term vision for these goals.

Azad also will look at the Internet of Things' impact on India's urban areas, including its ability to preserve energy and water, enhance disaster relieve and improve quality of life. His presentation is set for Oct. 26 at 3:00 p.m.

At the end of Broadband World Forum, the communications community may not know who's leading the Google Fiber charge, but it certainly will have greater insight into those driving the company's vision forward and what that vision includes.

Related posts:  

• 5 Things to Do in Berlin (After BBWF)
• Finding ARPU at World's Biggest Fixed-Network Event
• FCC's Ajit Pai Heads to Europe

  — Alison Diana, Editor, UBB2020. Follow us on Twitter @UBB2020 or @alisoncdiana.