On Wednesday, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved issuing a license to Google Fiber Arizona, LLC to provide high speed broadband Internet and television services.
The license grants Google Fiber the authority to use city streets and rights-of-way to provide cable television and Internet services within Phoenix. In exchange, Google will remit a license fee of five percent of gross cable television revenues to the city. Google’s application and additional license details are available online.
The license itself does not guarantee that Google will build, but grants the company use of city rights-of-way to build a network if and when they choose to do so and outlines the parameters under which they will operate if they proceed. In addition to the terms listed above, Google also has agreed to carry the city’s government access channel. The license includes non-discrimination and customer service requirements.
“Phoenix continues to provide choices for its residents in order to ensure digital inclusion for all,” said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, chair of the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “The City Council was united in adding to an already competitive environment in our community. We welcome Google Fiber and continue to support infrastructure improvements in our community.”
Google Fiber’s application and the proposed license have been available for public review on phoenix.gov since Aug. 19.