Google announced on its blog this morning that they are planning to build and test their own “ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States.”
“”We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.””
“””Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:
- Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive “killer apps” and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
- New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world.
- Openness and choice: We’ll operate an “open access” network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we’ll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.
Anyone concerned that Google is looking like they are going to control all aspects of the Internet including access?
Mike – I understand the sense of caution, although I welcome the potential advancement such a super high speed connection might provide. Google is an innovator whereas most other companies are copycats who simply charge too much.
Google’s entry will basically add choice and offer improvements that otherwise would not evolve or come to market.
Quick examples -> I can’t open a spreadsheet on my laptop without being forced to purchase a Microsoft product. So I log into Google business and open the spreadsheet there for free (plus edit and save with no limits). I cannot save a word file to a pdf on my PC, but I can upload it for free to Google, and convert and save to pdf there.
Google is good at filling the gaps. So perhaps they’ll offer something above and beyond the overpriced Time Warner broadband connection which is the default service here in Greensboro, NC.
Look at what Apple has done. That’s a near monopoly, but offered at reasonable prices and with great consumer loyalty and satisfaction. Hopefully, Google will proceed with that kind of MO.
The REAL STORY here is Google positioning itslf as a huge media giant in the next 5 years. I believe they’ll consolidate TV and Internet down to one super connection coming into the home. And we’ll be purchasing TV programming ala carte via our Google Super High Speed connection. That’s both a little exciting and scary all at once. Let’s hope that “Do no evil” mantra stays fresh 🙂
I am more worried about companies such as Comcast which require me to get cable television even though I only want broadband, and trying to charge me based on content I access instead of just providing a medium for transferring content. I am also worried about companies like Microsoft which copy products and leverage their position by using their Operating systems (Windows) monopoly to kill innovative companies and products like Correl word perfect and Netscape and once they do that they raise prices on products like Microsoft Office knowing there is no competition. I feel that there are only two innovative companies today which are trailblazers Apple and Google. As long as they do that they deserve our support. Instead of cheering the fact that they are going to provide internet that is a 1000 times faster that what we have today we are concerned about what they might do and deny them this opportunity. This sounds like propaganda from companies such as Microsoft and Comcast.
The goal is to host the dns of as many internet users as possible in order to leverage the information gained to sell more advertising. They are a publically traded company. Why else would they let other providers use their network. The just want the dns info.
I wonder when governments are going to wake up and realize Google is WAY too powerful.
I think they are going to F up. They are going too broad I think. I get it and all, but stick to what you do best. Not every idea they try has to be a huge success just because they are Google.