Re:Don’t Mess with The Google
by linkregister on Wednesday November 16, 2016 @08:13PM
(#12973291)
Wouldn't Google be able to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary to be the designated telecom in Texas? That's how the ride-sharing companies do it in order to insulate the parent companies from having transportation law apply to their headquarters.
I think it's indicative of more than just Google being unwilling to be held to the legal responsibilities; it appears that even their Fiber arm doesn't want them as well.
"Basically, the current regulations require companies with utility poles in the public rights of way to provide access to certified telecommunications providers and to TV/cable companies," Paul Lewis, assistant manager of telecommunications and regulatory affairs in Austin, told Ars. "Google is not a certified telecommunications provider, and it's a video service provider as opposed to a television/cable company."
If Google were to apply to the Public Utility Commission of Texas to become a qualified telecom, "It would make them subject to all of the state and federal telecommunications regulations," Lewis said.
[0]http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/12/why-att-says-it-c...