AT&T sues Louisville over utility pole law adopted for Google Fi - WDRB 41 Louisville News

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- AT&T sued Louisville Metro government on Thursday to stop an ordinance the Metro Council passed this month to make it easier for new broadband providers like Google Fiber to attach their equipment to utility poles.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Louisville, AT&T said Louisville Metro does not have the authority to permit a third party like Google Fiber to remove, alter or move AT&T’s equipment on utility poles, as the city’s “One Touch Make Ready” ordinance purports to allow.

AT&T spokesman Joe Burgan said in a prepared statement that Louisville “has no jurisdiction under federal or state law to regulate pole attachments.”

“Google can attach to AT&T’s poles once it enters into AT&T’s standard Commercial Licensing Agreement, as it has in other cities,” the statement said. “This lawsuit is not about Google. It’s about the Louisville Metro Council exceeding its authority.”

 

AT&T knows what's coming when Google Fiber is available, and I'd say they are going to do anything they can to slow it down or keep customers from switching. Good luck.

AT&T sucks

Who owns the pole?

I'm glad AT&T is monitoring the Metro Council so it does not exceed its authority. It's good to know AT&T is such a good civic watchdog. ..........Give me a break!

Does anybody else have equipment on these utility poles?

AT&T sucks

 

Don't hold back Cat! What do you really think?!?!?:lol2:

Don't hold back Cat! What do you really think?!?!?:lol2:

 

LOL

 

I've worked for them and I've dealt with them. I hate them.

Their law suit is a business move to slow Google Fiber down.

 

With that said I could see where they've got a good argument.

I am guessing that AT&T owns the pole, then if someone else(utility) attaches to the pole, they must have some type of agreement with AT&T.

 

Poles owned by the electric utility, that have cable and phone attached to them, have agreements in place that permits their use. The same thing happens when the pole is owned by the phone company and the electric utility attaches to the phone company pole.

 

Google would have to make an agreement with LG&E to attach to the poles that they own, in addition to the poles owned by AT&T.

I am guessing that AT&T owns the pole, then if someone else(utility) attaches to the pole, they must have some type of agreement with AT&T.

 

Poles owned by the electric utility, that have cable and phone attached to them, have agreements in place that permits their use. The same thing happens when the pole is owned by the phone company and the electric utility attaches to the phone company pole.

 

Google would have to make an agreement with LG&E to attach to the poles that they own, in addition to the poles owned by AT&T.

 

I know everyone is excited about Google Fiber but this all seems reasonable to me on AT&T's end of things.

 

I'm thinking the city got a little excited and were hoping to push this past AT&T.

I know everyone is excited about Google Fiber but this all seems reasonable to me on AT&T's end of things.

 

I'm thinking the city got a little excited and were hoping to push this past AT&T.

 

Well AT&T is a repulsive behemoth running a service only slightly better than the terrible cable company. I'm prepared to do anything to ram Google Fiber down their useless throats and force them into real competition.

If AT&T owns the pole, it's their pole, they can do whatever they want with it. That said, if Im Google, I just stick a pole next to it and do what I want with it.

If AT&T owns the pole, it's their pole, they can do whatever they want with it. That said, if Im Google, I just stick a pole next to it and do what I want with it.

 

There's always more to things. Were they granted an easement to install the poles? What was the city's role in their initial installation of infrastructure?

 

We'll find out soon enough.

So Louisville has pole gate. Go figure.

There's always more to things. Were they granted an easement to install the poles? What was the city's role in their initial installation of infrastructure?

 

We'll find out soon enough.

 

 

It's a piece of wood and takes up a minimal space in. Whomever owns the property will give Google a piece of property to put a 12 inch diameter pole on. Outside of the monetary factor, there are plenty of incentives that Google could offer if they really need to place a pole there and AT&T has their hand in someone's pocket.

 

I get why AT&T has an objection to it, they can't compete with Google fiber. That said, if Google needs a pole in the area to do what they need to do, they will find a place to put one. If they can't, they will just stretch the line further and end up with the same result. Either way, Google will end up accomplishing what they want to accomplish, even if it costs them a little more money. Either way it won't matter in the long run.