GOOGLE FIBER HALTS GROWTH PLANS

Google’s parent company is halting operations and laying off staff in a number of cities where it once hoped to bring high-speed Internet access by installing new fiber-optic networks.

Expansion plans in cities such as Los Angeles will be put on hold.

Google also announced that Craig Barratt, a veteran tech executive who led the ambitious — and expensive — Google Fiber program, is stepping down as chief executive of Access, the division of Google corporate parent Alphabet Inc. that operates the 5-year-old program.

In a statement, Barratt said Google Fiber will continue to provide service in a handful of cities, including Atlanta; Austin, Texas; and Charlotte, N.C.

But it will put further plans on hold in at least eight metropolitan areas where it’s been holding exploratory talks with local officials: Dallas; Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla.; L.A.: San Jose; Oklahoma City; Phoenix; and Portland, Ore.

Barratt didn’t say how many jobs would be cut. His statement described the Access business as “solid” but said it would make “changes to focus our business and product strategy” and incorporate new technology.

A recent report by tech news site Information said the business was under pressure by Alphabet CEO Larry Page to cut costs after failing to meet financial goals, including signing up 5 million subscribers.

Barratt said he’ll remain an advisor to Page.

In December, Google Fiber said L.A. was one of 17 cities that could receive access to the service. To better qualify, the city was asked to abide by a checklist that included “efficient and predictable” permitting and the appointment of a person to deal directly with the company.