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The Wall Street Journal reported last night that Google has suspended plans to bring Google Fiber to the Portland metro-area.
A city of Portland official confirmed Monday to WW that Google is backing out of plans to launch the high-speed internet service here.
The Journal reports that Google is shelving plans to lay fiber optic cables in Portland as it changes its overall strategy, switching from cable to wireless technology because cable has proved too expensive and time-consuming.
The Oregonian's Mike Rogoway reported in July that Google was delaying its plans for months or longer.
As recently as June, Google's plans to bring super high-speed internet to Portland seemed on track, even though there's never been an official announcement. In June, the company won approval for a "fiber hut" on city-owned property in Southwest Portland, The Oregonian reported.
Google has not responded to a request for comment.
The chief of staff to Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who has long championed better internet service in Portland, confirmed The Wall Street Journal's report.
"The city has been informed by Google Fiber of the change in network deployment plans for Portland," wrote Brendan Finn, the chief of staff, in an email Monday. "We will continue to work constructively with Google Fiber and all other providers to increase broadband services to Portlanders."
Update: A spokeswoman for Google writes in an email: "We're continuing to explore the possibility of bringing Google Fiber to Portland and other potential cities. This means deploying the latest technologies in alignment with our product roadmap, while understanding local requirements, which takes time."
Willamette Week