Google plans to test high-speed broadbandThursday, February 11, 2010 Google Inc. directed its disruptive technology at yet another industry on Wednesday, announcing plans to build broadband networks as much as 100 times faster than most cable and DSL services. MORE BUSINESSThe Mountain View Internet giant said the one-gigabit-per-second, fiber-to-the-home connections, which it plans to test in a few locations, will offer improved access to the Internet and greater choice in providers. The zippy network also promises to enable far more data-intensive applications online, in the same way the move from dial-up to broadband invited wider use of video and music. "It will open up all sorts of new possibilities when you have speeds that are 100 times faster," said Minnie Ingersoll, product manager with Google's alternative access team. The experiment clearly strikes at the heart of Internet service providers like Comcast Corp. and AT&T Inc., but analysts believe it's less of an effort to compete with the industry directly than to goad it into action. There is widespread frustration among customers and Internet companies that the sector has grown complacent with quality and speed, even as the average service in the United States lags behind other nations and new applications strain existing networks. "They're not saying we want to be an (Internet service provider)," said Greg Sterling, founding principal of Sterling Market Intelligence. "Their primary goal is really to expand broadband and to make it faster." As if to emphasize this point, Google said it will sell access to customers directly "at a competitive price" and team with telecommunications companies that want to package services with its fiber network. It is just one of many areas where Google has campaigned to create fast, cheap and ubiquitous Internet access. It is lobbying to use vacant space on the television spectrum for broadband, has worked to ensure open access for devices over part of the wireless spectrum, and offered to blanket San Francisco with free wireless access. "This is very consistent with a number of the Internet access projects that we've done in the past," Ingersoll said. The real agendaNone of which is to say that these projects are selfless. Google consistently acknowledges that its core business of online search and services benefits from improved access to the Internet, whether over personal computers or mobile devices. Google is by far the dominant search engine, controlling about 65 percent of the U.S. market, so getting more people online means bigger audiences for it and its advertisers. Comcast and AT&T declined to comment. Other broadband representatives emphasized that the industry is making strides without any prodding from Google. "The cable industry has invested $161 billion over the past 13 years to build a nationwide broadband infrastructure that is available to 92 percent of U.S. homes, and we will continue to invest billions more to continually improve the speed and performance of our networks and provide tens of millions of consumers with the best possible broadband experience," said Brian Dietz, spokesman for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. Verizon said it already offers fiber-to-the-home Internet service to more than 3.4 million customers in 16 states, including parts of California, although it's slower than Google's proposed service, with download speeds of only up to 50 Mbps. Fiber to the home is considered the fastest form of home Internet service today. "We've built out a modern fiber-optic infrastructure over the past six years to a number of cities," Verizon spokesman Kevin Laverty said. Sparking innovationTechnology and public-interest advocacy groups generally applauded Google's announcement, saying it will help spark competition and innovation. The Computer & Communications Industry Association said Google's announcement could help propel the Federal Communications Commission's efforts to increase broadband deployment and adoption. "While this is only an initial step, having the possibility of a new, nongovernment subsidized entry into the market of last-mile broadband access is good news for competition and all Internet users," said Ed Black, chief executive of the Washington trade group, in a statement. "We have been locked in a rut for too long." Google is seeking applications from local governments interested in participating in the project. It plans to collect responses until March 26, and will announce which communities will get the service later this year. The company said it hopes to offer the service to at least 50,000 people and as many as 500,000. A spokesman for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said his office is evaluating the criteria for the program, and hopes to work with the Board of Supervisors to apply. "Mayor Newsom has long been a champion of universal broadband access, and we are excited about Google's initiative and leadership again on this issue," spokesman Tony Winnicker said. Google's planWhat happened: Google announced plans to build fiber-to-the-home broadband networks, considered the fastest form of home Internet service today. What it means: Faster networks enable the use of far more data-intensive applications online. Think about what the shift from dial-up to broadband did for online video. What's next: Google will announce this year which communities will get the service. E-mail James Temple at jtemple@sfchronicle.com. |
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