Google asks for GoogleNet bids
Following up on my GoogleNet piece, Google is now seeking bids for a nationwide optical network. IP Media Monitor has details here. IP Democracy reports…
The vendors who have seen Google’s fiber network RFP say that the nature of the network can really only mean that Google ultimately hopes to push massive amounts of voice, video and data close to the end user.
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I had my entire family sign-up for Google Talk last night. I told them it wouldn’t be tied to the computer for long. Interesting that Google only offers GTalk in the US currently. Do they have a international user base? I really don’t know much about Google except it does good searches.
No, Google is US only.
Om,
It is interesting to speculate about what (in the short term) Google is going to do with that capacity. The obvious items are a full VoIP offering and ISP. That just sounds…too obvious.
You mentioned that they had brought some land and were in talks with Apple. You have to wonder whether they are going to “host” a users music. Never have to worry about your computer crashing and loseing your music.
I also wonder if they are looking at a VoD play based around searching and TiVo like functionality. The time line in reports would probably match reasonably well with Apple’s probable launch of a video iPod. An Apple/Google partnership could be quite interesting.
I’m not sure the last mile would be a great problem. WiMax will probably solve that until they can put in fibre to the homes.
Any new ideas (or speculation) on their plans?
Can they build the network in unlicensed spectrum with Wimax/wifi? If so, you bet.
Fiber is not an option, because they are looking for mobility. Plus fiber is too expensive.
…it could be built for under $100 million and launched in a couple of months…
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Om, do we need any more evidence that Telecom is dangerously OVER-capitalized and thus headed towards another painful collapse, or absent that outcome, consumers will get royally screwed to pay for the sins of this industry.
Interesting to note…http://wifi.google.com now redirects to the home page.
Why even confine them to unlicensed wireless? A nationwide license at 2.3 or 2.5 GHz, both fien for mobility, would cost less than buying Skype. The could then use unlicensed to boost capacity in metro areas.
I think google should start buying ISPs. Adelphia is bankrupt. – I’m sure they’d be cheap.
I love this news. Now when realized, this dark fiber coupled with WiMax will be truly “Do No Evil”. I don’t see Google becoming a protective telecom player. These Google guys are unique . . . remember the Playboy interview on the eve of their IPO: priceless.
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