Google internet? Sounds good.
Google launched Google Fiber in two Kansas Cities today, oddly enough. (MO and KS)
These cities are divided into "fiberhoods" where Google is willing to install fiber optic infrastructure, given sufficient interest.
Google is offering three different packages. The Gigabit and Fiber TV service will cost $120 a month and will include 1Gbps connectivity on the upstream as well as downstream. There is no data cap. It also comes with 1 terabyte of Google Drive cloud storage. The TV service will include all the regular broadcast TV channels, hundreds of Google Fiber TV channels, thousands of TV shows on demand, and premium movie channels.
There is also just Fiber internet for 70$ a month.
Then there is free internet, for a small 300$ construction fee.
Man i want Google Fiber at my place.
My Analysis: This has serious ramifications for the internet infrastructure of the United States. Comparatively, it is an area we are lacking in, and anyone who reads the first few pages of this thread (don't) will be treated to many an eloquent testimony. This new player in the market will significantly stir things up- the added competition might lower average prices, especially since Google will be stealing customers away from other companies with their free internet. This signifies a shift towards more efficient, functional, affordable internet.
While the prices are competitive, they are not outrageously cheap. What is important is that at comparable prices, Google is offering internet MUCH faster than anyone else. While faster internet speeds are nice for convenience, they are also important for productivity. 78.3 % of America uses some form of the internet- that's immense. Faster internet would mean higher productivity, resulting in a higher per capita output and possibly a higher GDP.
On a smaller scale, the localized monopolies over internet and cable access may be disrupted. Companies won't be able to get away with offering 5mb/s internet or other comparably slow products for similar prices to Google, which will mean the industry may be forced to shift.
Please note: 1 Gigabit is not the same as 1 Gigabyte. 1 Gigabit = 1/8 Gigabyte >> 1/8 Gigabyte = 125 Megabyte
ATTN: Any TLers in Kansas City, MO should stop by the "Google Fiber Space" to test out the goods and report back to us!
from Google: "Drop by the Google Fiber Space in Kansas City located in the Volker Square Center. Experience first hand 100 times faster Internet, watch crystal clear high definition TV, and chat with Google Fiber team members to get all your questions answered."
https://fiber.google.com/cities/#fiberspace=&upcoming=%2Fkansas%3F
Interesting Comments:
On July 27 2012 08:16 Probe1 wrote: I think this is relevant to post. Even if a "Fiberhood" reaches a critical amount of registered users, they will still have to wait 12 months to receive 1gb internet.
This is true, the obvious lack of immediate infrastructure could provide some challenges for Google, especially outside of the Kansas Cities, i.e people being discouraged/ disenfranchised by the long wait
On July 27 2012 08:31 Irrelevant Label wrote:
The monopoly killing factor is the main reason US americans are happy to see this. There are a lot of regions where high speed internet runs upwards of $50/month for service comparable to what this has at the $0 point. I'm stuck with 20 mb/s for $70, it gets worse but in civilized countries it also gets a lot better. Introduce to the market that 5 mb/s is free and 1 gbit is $70 and you destroy all that.
The monopoly killing factor is the main reason US americans are happy to see this. There are a lot of regions where high speed internet runs upwards of $50/month for service comparable to what this has at the $0 point. I'm stuck with 20 mb/s for $70, it gets worse but in civilized countries it also gets a lot better. Introduce to the market that 5 mb/s is free and 1 gbit is $70 and you destroy all that.
Good analysis, but keep in mind that it's possible the free 5mb/s may not be free for everyone if Google Fiber took off. Google wouldn't necessarily be obligated to offer free internet to everyone everywhere.
On July 28 2012 01:05 Wegandi wrote: You have to realize that North America is still mostly wilderness and sticks. I know a lot of people (family and friends) who still only have access to dial up because they are in the middle of nowhere (This is in Maryland and WV). Europe and SK is different because they are very small (relatively) and most of the population is cloistered tightly.
Take a drive from Alexandria, VA straight across the Appalachians, Mid-West, into Nevada, and Oregon, etc. and 90% is either the sticks or farmland. Relatively few metropolis'. You know how expensive it would be to run fiber optics throughout the entire continent? Canada is even worse than the US in that even more of their country is sticks and wilderness.
Take a drive from Alexandria, VA straight across the Appalachians, Mid-West, into Nevada, and Oregon, etc. and 90% is either the sticks or farmland. Relatively few metropolis'. You know how expensive it would be to run fiber optics throughout the entire continent? Canada is even worse than the US in that even more of their country is sticks and wilderness.
This is important to keep in mind. The population density of the United States is, on average, much less dense than in Europe. That's one huge reason why local monopolies exist and why getting fiber optics everywhere will be such a challenge. Also a reason why on average, internet in America is comparatively slow than in Europe or South Korea.