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One More Time: Google Doesn't Want to be an ISP
Localized Wi-Fi projects not part of broader plan
While there have been ample predictions made of a national Google-Fi network (once they started gobbling up fiber and hiring gurus like Vint Cerf), Google yet again states very clearly they have no such ambitions, telling the NY Times their existing Wi-Fi operations exist simply for experimentation, and to "demonstrate the value of competition." That, and of course perfecting their real business: advertising. The search giant is offering Wi-Fi near its Moutain View, California headquarters, at speeds up to 1Mbps, and has experimented with speeds up to 8Mbps.
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Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

1 edit

Transmaster

Member

Well

It would seem Google's present business model is working why change. Later on if they want to do something different they always can but for now stay the course and continue to make your stock holders happy.
aglinka
join:2005-10-21
Saint Johnsbury, VT

aglinka

Member

Re: Well

Interesting enough, I was doing a tracert from my hosting company to google, and discovered the following router
4 core1-2-2-0.ord.net.google.com (206.223.119.21)
which looks to be in Chicago, really neat they are using the fiber

Noah Vail
Oh God please no.
Premium Member
join:2004-12-10
SouthAmerica

1 edit

Noah Vail

Premium Member

So are we going to....

.....hear an uproar from whom-ever the local ISP is in the area, for squashing competition?

Or will that complaint never materialize because Google has scads more money than Lafayette LA?

NV

edited....Blastm y fatf ingers!

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium Member
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

nixen

Premium Member

Re: So are we going to....

said by Noah Vail:

.....hear an uproar from whom-ever the local ISP is in the area, for squashing competition?

Or will that complaint never materialize because Google has scads more money than Lafayette LA?

NV

edited....Blastm y fatf ingers!
Not sure how creating your own backbone is "squashing competition". Given the noise the RBOCs and cable companies have made regarding making companies like Google pay extra for transiting their networks, it only makes sense that Google minimize their exposure as much as possible, doncha think? It would suck to have to pay a tariff to AT&T just because your packets transited their backbone on the way to/from user X on some regional ISP.

-tom
ossito16
join:2004-07-31
Whiting, IN

ossito16 to aglinka

Member

to aglinka

Re: Well

said by aglinka:

Interesting enough, I was doing a tracert from my hosting company to google, and discovered the following router
4 core1-2-2-0.ord.net.google.com (206.223.119.21)
which looks to be in Chicago, really neat they are using the fiber
I remember reading at dslr forums that google purchased a lot of dark fiber around the country a while back. Why buy all that and not use it? Everyone knows its coming, I can even see them coming with google linux operating system.

calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA

calvoiper

Member

Why Google is doing this....

For anyone who doesn't believe Google's statement that they don't want to be an ISP:

Google is behaving very rationally here. Commercial history is rife with examples of companies encouraging competition in supply and allied businesses which affect or are necessary to the primary company's core business.

Google benefits, through increased and improved use of its search and content offerings if there are faster, better, and more ways to reach those services.

General Motors encouraged the development of independent tire and gasoline industries.

Kodak encouraged Bell & Howell to produce projectors for its home movie films.

Boeing, McDonnell, Lockheed, Douglas all encouraged competition in the aircraft engine and avionics markets, as did the airlines and governments which ultimately purchased their products.

In the '60's, '70's, and '80's, recreational boat manufacturers encouraged competition in the boat engine market--though that competition has largely given way to consolidation/consortium manufacturing today.

Frankly, I wish Google would become an ISP--they'd clean the telcos' clocks. But I rather think Google believes that it has enough to do closer to its core businesses, and they are improving their chances of long term success by staying focused.

calvoiper
tthnow
join:2006-06-07
Oakland, CA

tthnow

Member

Kick Ass!

Goog is kicking ass man!

packersfan
@charter.com

packersfan

Anon

just 'experimenting'.. ya right.

news was in beta for how long? gmail is still in "testing" as well... i do believe we'll see a bit more wi-fi "experimentation" in the not-too-distant future.