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Google Fiber To Acquire Gigabit Internet Provider Webpass (techcrunch.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the mergers-and-acquisitions dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Google Fiber has announced a deal to acquire high-speed internet service provider Webpass. Webpass is a 13-year-old company that provides high-speed internet, including gigabit service, for businesses and residential customers across parts of the U.S.. Webpass is most widely known in California, with service running in San Fransisco, Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley and San Diego. It also has service in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Chicago, and Boston. The President of Webpass, Charles Barr, said in a blog post: "Joining Google Fiber will be a great development for our users because the companies share the same vision of the future and commitment to the customer," he said. "Google Fiber's resources will enable Webpass to grow faster and reach many more customers than we could as a standalone company." The acquisition should help Google Fiber with its plans to grow to more than 20 U.S. cities in the near future, helping connect to business and residential markets.

3 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. And nothing for rest of America. by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not everyone lives in big cities. Those who live in Rural areas who need high speed internet (sometimes even more than city folks) are still left out because such areas are unprofitable.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:And nothing for rest of America. by jellomizer · · Score: 3, Informative

      Internet connectivity has become a core service that we to function in modern society. Much like how landlines were in the past generation. Or Electricity and Plumbing the generation before.

      The Rural people actually have a bigger need for internet as they don't have ready access to many other services so they use the internet to communicate with people in the distances for their needs. It isn't a short drive to your local post office or government officials to fill out paperwork. Or to try to do a quick stop by at an office during business hours. Or wait hours on the phone for basic service.

      When the cities get gigabit internet website grow larger and more complex to offer features that are now available to the faster speeds, leaving the rural population unable to use their slower speed connections.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  2. What internet should be by lfp98 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Took a look at their home page https://webpass.net/residentia... Compared to Verizon or Comcast, it's heaven on earth. A flat $550 a year, no asterisks, no teaser rates, no setup charges, no equipment rentals, no bundled content nobody wants, and free installation. I can't even tell what I'd have to pay Verizon to get the same service but I know it's at least twice that.