Google Fiber loses yet another CEO – connectivity ambitions questionable

The CEO of Access, the part of Alphabet that contains Google Fiber, has reportedly stepped down after just five months at the helm.

Scott Bicheno

July 18, 2017

1 Min Read
Google Fiber loses yet another CEO – connectivity ambitions questionable

The CEO of Access, the part of Alphabet that contains Google Fiber, has reportedly stepped down after just five months at the helm.

Gregory McCray replaced Craig Barratt, who stepped down after Google significantly watered down its fibre ambitions in October of last year. He presumably, therefore, accepted the gig with his eyes open, so it would be surprising if his departure was the result of a flounce related to Google’s apparent ambivalence about the connectivity game.

A possible alternative is suggested in the Bloomberg report announcing his departure. Apparently he has managed to put his foot in his mouth a few times, resulting in being grassed-up to Alphabet HR. With Silicon Valley in the middle of a period of self-flagellation regarding sexual politics Alphabet may have had a closer look at McCray’s track record regarding potentially contentious comments and decided to play safe.

Whatever the reasons for McCray’s departure this can only further damage Google’s once rampant connectivity plans. A year ago the fibre rhetoric was dialled down in favour of fixed wireless and there have been a sequence of further climb-downs since then. Google is not afraid to fail fast, but rather than announce failures it tends to just sweep them under the carpet. Right now it’s hard not to assume Google Fiber has suffered just that fate.

About the Author

Scott Bicheno

As the Editorial Director of Telecoms.com, Scott oversees all editorial activity on the site and also manages the Telecoms.com Intelligence arm, which focuses on analysis and bespoke content.
Scott has been covering the mobile phone and broader technology industries for over ten years. Prior to Telecoms.com Scott was the primary smartphone specialist at industry analyst Strategy Analytics’. Before that Scott was a technology journalist, covering the PC and telecoms sectors from a business perspective.
Follow him @scottbicheno

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