In it’s third reading, the Metro Nashville City Council approved a controversial ordinance allowing Google Fiber to come to Nashville.
Google Fiber is offering an Internet connection speed that’s up to 1,000 megabits per second, along with a TV service like no other.
One gigabit per second (Gbps) is a 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) connection. With Fiber 1000, you’ll get Internet speeds up to 1 Gbps. That means enough Internet for everyone in your home—and their devices. Everyone at home can have a super fast connection on their computers, smartphones, tablets, and more—at the same time.
Google paused their development in Nashville because many of the utility poles needed for lines were already being used by AT&T, Comcast and the Nashville Electric Service.
The “One Touch Make Ready” ordinance would allow one company to make a pole ready for fiber by moving all the lines.
The ordinance passed unanimously during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
There was also a motion to defer the bill just before the council made the final vote, but council voted 26-12, defeating the motion allowing the final vote to take place.
The council’s action was a big win for Google Fiber and came after the council voted 20-19 to defeat an effort opposed by Google Fiber to delay consideration of the ordinance until December.
AT&T and Comcast have voiced strong opposition to the ordinance and have instead sought to shorten timelines and increase penalties for slow action, rather than allow a third-party vendor to touch their lines. Without using their own workers, they argue, the lines could be damaged and disrupt service. For AT&T, the ordinance would violate contracts with union workers, the company says. AT&T has filed a lawsuit in Louisville, Ky., to strike down a similar ordinance there.