Google is often forced to dig trenches for its Fiber internet, limiting the highly sought service to just a few communities so far. That's because access to poles, ducts and conduits (at a tenth the cost) is limited by federal law to traditional cable TV and telecom suppliers. Google doesn't legally fit that definition, even though it provides internet-based TV and telephone services. It has had pole access hassles in the past with carriers like AT&T, which said last year that that it would cooperate more with Google only when it "qualifies as a telecom or cable provider" under federal law.

If Title II gives Google pole access, then it might really rock the world with broadband.

Google was quick to add that if the FCC didn't give it the same rights as cable or telecom providers under Title II, the result would be "a substantial barrier to network deployment by new providers such as Google Fiber." The search giant has been quiet on internet regulation so far, and the FCC letter isn't exactly an endorsement of Title II. But Google's position is a tad more optimistic than other telecoms and cable services, provided that it also gets the same rights they do. Former FCC Chair Reed Hundt told the WSJ that "if Title II gives Google pole access, then it might really rock the world with broadband."

[Image credit: neeravbhatt/Flickr]