ISPs Poised to Battle Google's 'Fiberhoods'

Google on Thursday , which is scheduled to hit the Kansas City region by mid-2013. But how do existing ISPs and cable providers in the region feel about Google moving in on their turf?

In a statement, a Time Warner Cable spokesman said the company sees Google as a new competitor in Kansas City.

"Kansas City is and has been a highly competitive market and we take all our competitors seriously," the spokesman said. "We have a robust and adaptable network, advanced products and services available today, and experienced local employees delivering local service. We are confident in our ability to compete."

AT&T and Comcast declined to comment, as did the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), which represents the country's major cable providers.

DirecTV did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Google is offering three service packages. The Web-only Gigabit Internet plan is $70 per month. With Gigabit + Google Fiber TV, Google promised hundreds of channels and on-demand shows, as well as 2TB of DVR storage and eight tuners, and a new to serve as a remote control - all for $120 per month. There's also the option for free 5 Mbps Internet if you pay the $300 installation fee.

The Internet service includes a one-year contract, while Internet plus TV requires a two-year deal, so unless customers are willing to pay an early termination fee, Google can lock in customers - and lock out competitors - for at least a year or two.

Whether this comes to fruition, however, depends on customer demand. Google is now accepting $10 pre-registrations. After Sept. 9, it will see how many people have committed to Google Fiber and then decide where the service will roll out. Neighborhoods need between 5-25 percent of homes to sign on in order for it to be cost effective, Google said. So, now would be the time for rivals to offer up a few incentives to stay connected.

One thing that might hold TV fans back is the channel lineup. At this point, Google said Gigabit TV will offer Viacom channels like MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. But Disney-owned channels like ESPN, the Disney Channel, and ABC Family were not on the list, so Google has likely not secured a deal with Disney just yet. Premium channels like Showtime and Starz are on the list, but HBO and Cinemax are not.

"This channel lineup is only a representative lineup and is subject to change," Google said in the fine print.

Google has already edged into the TV market a bit with Google TV, though the service has yet to really catch on. Customers also have to go through a traditional ISP for the Internet service that hooks them up to Google TV. With Google Fiber, the search giant will be providing that TV and Internet hookup.

Does Google Fiber sound like something you'd want? Have any Kansas City residents already pre-registered? Let us know in the comments.