Google Fiber is well on its way to acquire Webpass, a San Francisco-based internet service provider. With the acquisition, the Alphabet subsidiary will have further access to five major markets that Webpass is currently serving.
After its founding in 2003, Webpass reveals that it has managed to amass "tens of thousands" of commercial and residential customers in cities such as Berkeley, Boston, Chicago, Coral Gables, Emeryville, Oakland, Miami, Miami Beach, San Diego and San Francisco.
Granted that the acquisition pushes through, the mentioned areas will be added to Google Fiber's list of operational cities. Before 2015 ended, Google Fiber was estimated to have provided services to 120,000 customers. Plans for a continued expansion have also been affirmed.
"By joining forces, we can accelerate the deployment of superfast Internet connections for customers across the [United States]. Webpass will remain focused on rapid deployment of high-speed internet connections for residential and commercial buildings, primarily using point-to-point wireless," Webpass President Charles Barr stated in a press release dated June 22.
Barr also noted that with Google Fiber's resources, Webpass will have better growth and can service a lot more clients compared to being a stand-alone company.
Webpass currently offers gigabit connections for both business and residential internet. Experts see the deal as Google Fiber's way of establishing itself within the mentioned cities using Webpass' existing client pool, especially those in apartment complexes, which landmarks like Time Warner Cable and Comcast have a strong grip on.
Barr's mention of point-to-point wireless connections reaffirms Google Fiber's previously manifested interest in beaming wireless broadband internet directly into homes.
The announced acquisition coincides with a previous statement made by Michael Slinger, Google Fiber's director of business operations, with regard to the company's approach of establishing itself in San Francisco.
"By using existing fiber to connect some apartments and condos, as we've done before, we can bring service to residents more quickly," said Slinger back in February. "This approach will allow us to serve a portion of San Francisco, complementing the City's ongoing efforts to bring abundant, high-speed Internet to the City by the Bay."
Slinger also announced the company's plan of connecting some public and affordable properties within San Francisco for free in order to address those affected by what he termed as the "digital divide." Note that Google Fiber has also partnered up with NTN (Nonprofit Technology Network) and plans to bring the Digital Inclusion Fellowship to the city in hopes of increasing digital literacy within the said area.
The Webpass acquisition deal is expected to close sometime this summer.
