Two years later, leaders questioning Google Fiber

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Some metro-area internet customers waiting for Google’s new high-speed service are getting impatient.

The tech giant just transferred hundreds of workers out of its fiber division, though the company insists the rollout of its service remains on track.

"I think the market is so saturated right now. People get used to what they have, and they have to be shook and shown that this is something great,” internet customer Billy Honor said.

Google is burying its high-speed fiber optic lines. But it has been two years since the tech giant announced plans to provide internet service in nine metro-area counties.

"Fiber is a highly capital-intensive business. It doesn't surprise me that some of these folks are beginning to rethink what they may or may not do. We haven't heard from Google about what their plans are here,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul told Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen.

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Paul also said the city is taking a wait-and-see approach. Google insists it is in Atlanta to stay. But Paul said in Sandy Springs, there are three tech companies in the fiber optic game.

"So, whether it's Google or AT&T or Comcast, we'll be a cutting-edge technology city. We'll get fiber in somehow or the other,” Paul told Petersen.

A statement from Google said the company is currently offering service to many buildings in downtown Atlanta, and will continue to connect more apartments and condos along the existing infrastructure.

Cox Media Group