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Google Fiber Layoffs: 130 Broadband Access Job Cuts

Craig Barratt

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) is cutting 130 Google Fiber employees or roughly 9 percent of its staff, according to Bloomberg. Moreover, Google Access CEO Craig Barratt -- essentially the leader of Google Fiber -- has resigned.

Barratt disclosed his resignation and multiple Google Fiber business changes in a blog post today.

"...we have to continue not only to grow, but also stay ahead of the curve — pushing the boundaries of technology, business, and policy — to remain a leader in delivering superfast Internet. We have refined our plan going forward to achieve these objectives. It entails us making changes to focus our business and product strategy. Importantly, the plan enhances our focus on new technology and deployment methods to make superfast Internet more abundant than it is today."

Google Fiber service will continue to operate in its existing cities, and new services will come online where construction is already under way. But here's the key twist:

"For most of our “potential Fiber cities” — those where we’ve been in exploratory discussions — we’re going to pause our operations and offices while we refine our approaches."

Google will be "reducing our employee base" in those exploratory cities, though Barratt didn't disclose specific headcount figures.

A Different Kind of Broadband?

Google, Facebook and other massive Internet companies have explored numerous ways to extend and accelerate broadband service worldwide. The brainstorms and projects have included satellites, balloons and other next-generation systems.

In the U.S., Google Fiber had once hoped to offer nationwide broadband service that easily surpassed traditional cable and telco systems. However, even the mighty Google has struggled with government regulations, bureaucracy, and physical barriers on its broadband journey.

Despite the challenges, Barratt insisted that the business is solid, the subscriber base and revenue are growing quickly, and growth will continue.

For a complete list of technology industry layoffs for 2016 and beyond, see www.ChannelE2E.com/Layoffs.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.