KCTV 5Bringing Google’s high speed internet to KCK hits a snag

The plan to bring Google's high speed internet to Kansas City, KS may have hit a snag.

The problem, according to KCTV5's reporter partners at the Kansas City Star comes in exactly where and how to hang the high-speed internet wires on utility poles.

Another question that has arisen focuses on if there are any fees or installation costs tacked on to what's already being spent.

Through its contract with the unified government, Google avoids fees when placing their lines close to power lines. But the extra costs come in because doing the work requires more highly-trained technicians.

Journeyman lineman, specifically, cost as much as 50 percent more than workers who normally attach the cables in the telecom space.

Kansas City Board of Public Utilities spokesperson David Melhaff said the utility is working through some things they didn't anticipate

"Looking at the time it was going to take, and the actual planning, and the construction phase. You know, we're experts when it comes to distributing water and electricity and, when you get into something that's a high-speed fiber network area or working with a company like Google, that takes some time in learning how to work with each other," said David Melhaff with BPU.

Through a spokesperson, Google said everything is on track with the network's setup adding quote:

"We have a great working relationship with the Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO governments. Pole attachments are only a small part of this huge network that we are building, and we are focused on getting every detail right as we begin construction."

According to the principals involved, it all boils down to that there is no real problem and the first half of the year, everything will be going smoothly.

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