Google's always tiptoed around directly providing internet access to consumers with things like
free airport WiFi and the
free WiFi network it runs in Mountain View, but today the company announced that it's getting in the game for real with the launch of a fiber-based ISP service that'll offer 1Gbps speeds at "competitive prices" to select markets. The idea is to provide next-gen access to between 50,000 and 500,000 people and basically see what happens -- and, as you'd expect, the new network will be a poster child for Google's pro-net-neutrality efforts. Sounds good to us, but we've all got a ways to go before Eric Schmidt comes over with the lightpipe -- Google's just now asking for "interested communities" to apply, and launch markets will be announced later this year. Video after the break.
P.S.- Remember when Google
bought all that fiber back in like 2005 and sparked all those rumors of a "GoogleNet"? It's probably unrelated, but at least there's a name to kick around.
[Thanks, Kevin]
posted February 10th 2010 11:54AM
Do they disclose that they will be monitoring all of your traffic and sending you adds based on what porn you browse?
I dont know, I just dont trust Google for anything but searching anymore. Anyone remember their Chrome TOC?
@(Unverified) they can know every last piece of detail of the kind of porn I watch if it means a 1GBbit internet connection
@(Unverified)
They did modify that TOC, scaling it way back, google it :D
If I have to choose between Google overlords, who watch everything I do; Apple overlords who control everything I do, or Microsoft overlords who crash everything I do: I choose Google.
@wraith404
You forgot the popular "D" choice, the Government overlords who do all of the above.
@(Unverified)
"Yo Comcast, I'm really happy for you, and I'm going to let you finish seeding, but Google has the fastest torrent speeds of all time."
@wraith404
+ 9,001 Internets for you good sir.
@wraith404: Google monetizes your online behavior, Apple doesn't. It's that simple.
@saturnblackhole Really? Do you need to be that Aggressive?
@al3d This will be one of the sweetest news indeed. We're talking about fiber-optic speed here my men! on our own homes. Anyway, I think the progress of this plan will be gradual much like their free wifi service which happened last holiday: http://bit.ly/google-free-wifi-sweet-deal
@7egend
Don't you mean Xfinity!!
@saturnblackhole Speaking of balls, Google will soon have a firm grasp on both of mine. It's crazy to think I'm willingly giving them to Google.
@al3d You won't be getting a 1Gb internet connection. Even if you did, it would be a waste. I don't know of a server online that could handle multiple Gb connections from internet users. More than likely you will see Gb connections to towns or communities. Even large commercial companies that can currently afford a Gb internet connection do not have one. Many have Gb point to point circuits, but that is something totally different.
@WayneS Actually, I do think they mean 1Gbps FTTP/FTTH to each individual home. Like they said, they wanna see what happens if they give people that huge bandwidth.
@WayneS
Also it's not a complete waste. Some of us have roommates. Some of us have roommates who are too damn lazy to use their Netflix account by mail (I once had Blockbuster online and their mailing service was FAST). So while they are streaming video, others are surfing the web, and of course some have iphones, some may be on Blog TV, while I'm trying to play a game online. So at least it increases available bandwidth for each member.
@7egend ...of all time...
@WayneS Sources?
@Ariel Bender The internets beg to differ, http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/apple-makes-it-official-acquires-quattro-wireless/
Sweet, now I can use up my monthly data transfer limit in 60 seconds.
@xtasi
Sorry, nobody begs to differ. You referenced the purchase of a company - that's it. Since Apple is not actually doing anything with that company at this time, you can't make assumptions about it.
Some detailed specifics about what google wants to do: http://fora.tv/v/9391
@WayneS
There's no such things as too much. Once the infrastructure is there, servers will be available to serve the speed eventually. It's a step in the right direction and away from the slow speeds, high prices, and now bandwidth caps we have to deal with thanks to the current ISPs.
And I love how Google is going ridiculously beyond the norm, just like they did with Gmail. Remember those 10MB inboxes anyone?
@Ariel Bender
Besides the fact that they only allow you to use their itunes music store on your iPhone... And that little walled garden of theirs called the app store...
@al3d
agreed
I believe "Google ISP service" is redundant..
@Ariel Bender
Apple monetizes lemming behavior.
@wraith404 "If I have to choose between Google overlords, who watch everything I do; Apple overlords who control everything I do, or Microsoft overlords who crash everything I do: I choose Google." That's Efing Awesome!!!
@Ariel Bender wrong...... apple has safe mode... and what it does is makes sure u dont go onto anything illegal or inapropiet like the pirate bay or porn sites
@7egend
Bwahaha! Best comment ever!
@al3d Just to clarify, it's 1Gbps as in bits not bytes.
It's roughly around 125MBps which is nothing to sneeze at.
@wraith404 Wiser words have never been spoken.
+1
@vapore0n Is everyone her NOT reading/Watching Vid?
its 1 gigaBIT per second. not byte, if you translate, its about 125 megaBYTES per second.
call it overkill, but a blu ray is 50 gigs, 3dtv will increase that amount for any movie, and many other things that have huge growth. you'll cry for google when things like that roll around and your cable company has you capped/throttled/censored because they monopolized your home's ISP.
last but not least, B. Gates never said that stupid 640k line.
I like this.
@po kuntry boi
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ... offer this in NYC. I would love to drop TWC!
@po kuntry boi
They're one step closer to world domination...
*and I ain't complainin*
@po kuntry boi
G UNIT!
@Butler
Amen to that!
@Eugene Action ! I don't know how to tell you how much I loved that comment so I started with an exclamation mark!
@po kuntry boi
Be careful what you wish for. Google can't even support their phone, let alone they know how to build/support a fast/large network. This is just a publicity stunt!
Awesome!!!!!!
Here's wishing it comes to NYC :(
Once this is deployed, it will just be a matter of time until the T100 series terminators are announced to use this network..........
Google became self-aware Feb. 10, 2010, at 10:58 PM CST. In a panic, they tried to pull the plug.
In all seriousness, this is a bit insane, and awesome. This comes out of left field, and I'd drop Time Warner in a heartbeat for Google.
@Shidell
I will follow Google all the way. Hopefully this will be successful and force the isps to scramble and lower prices. Although i am with OptimumOnline and its pretty solid, more competition cant hurt.
@Shidell Glad I'm not the only one with TWC. They have what amounts to a monopoly here in Lincoln, NE. Our electric company, LES, laid fiber all over town but there is an actual law in place that prohibits our electrical company from selling access to it to end users or even leasing it out to other companies to resell. BULLSHIT I SAY!
@Cg006 idk, I have optonline too, and my connection has gotten below 5mbps (with boost)
@ddmeightball I'm in the same boat as you. In Dallas, TX they will not allow fiber lines to run out here so no Verizon optic for us. Now we are left with either SBC DSL (Yuck) or TWC that overcharges like hell.
@mackmgg Call Tech support 611, you might get me, we can fix that
@ddmeightball Cable companies can't compete with each other because they can't share the same local lines. As evidenced with in San Diego, Time Warner Cable entered the market and bought part of Cox Communications San Diego's network infrastructure. If the cable customers in San Diego want Cox Communications for their cable company, they have to move to an area served by Cox. That's why there is a "monopoly" on cable. You will probably never see ads touting one cable company over another simply because they can't coexist on one network.
@aschettler
So move to an area that has Cox. That's the free market, right? /sarcasm
@ddmeightball As someone on TWC in Lincoln, NE, I can indeed say that having the choice between TWC and Windstream DSL sucks.
No single person NEEDS 1Gbps.
@Cydoniac
i need 1gbps thank you very much.
Business can use 1gbps pipes
Condos
Hotels
Scools..
Never hurts to have all that speed :)