Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network • Hacker News Board

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#41

Post by natrius » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:32 PM UTC

wmf wrote: post #21

swombat wrote: post #3

Time for the other so-called broadband providers to shake in their boots. I like companies that have no respect for established business models. In this perspective, despite its size, I think it's fair to call Google a start-up.

Yeah, after Google starts selling broadband significantly below cost, no real ISP will be able to meet customers' inflated expectations.

It's not in Google's best interests to reduce competition in the telecommunications industry. If they offer bandwidth at such a low cost that it threatens the viability of existing providers, they have to commit to providing that bandwidth in perpetuity. Their current business model requires bandwidth, and replacing that by raising bandwidth prices in the future when competitors have been eliminated would be met with government opposition fairly quickly.

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#42

Post by gbookman » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:35 PM UTC

imgabe wrote: post #23

Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Did you hear that? It sounded as if millions of hollywood executives suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced...

The sad thing is that hollywood execs are scared by news like this when they should be looking at it as an opportunity.

The ability to download a full HD movie in <5 minutes opens up a treasure trove of revenue possibilities. It makes content delivery much more convenient and thus much more compelling for customers.

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#43

Post by ilamont » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:37 PM UTC

Cool idea, but was anyone else reminded of the Internet2 hype when they read this?

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#44

Post by natrius » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:39 PM UTC

aw3c2 wrote: post #37

swombat wrote: post #3

Time for the other so-called broadband providers to shake in their boots. I like companies that have no respect for established business models. In this perspective, despite its size, I think it's fair to call Google a start-up.

Isn't the poor coverage of decent internet connections a much bigger issue? Highspeed internet in urban areas might be cool but what about the rest of the country.

A bigger issue issue for who? Telecommunications companies have decided that it's not worth investing much in connections to low density areas. If there are enough people clicking on ads in those places to make it worthwhile, maybe Google will provide connections in those areas. If that doesn't happen, I don't see any justification for subsidizing people's connections above a level that is necessary for basic access of information to aid in making informed voting decisions since we share a government.

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#45

Post by paul9290 » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:41 PM UTC

Google needs to sell access to entrepreneurs/large entities who want to get into the ISP business. Doing this will create a market over the monopoly/oligopoly we have here in the US.

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#46

Post by lanstein » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:42 PM UTC

Groxx wrote: post #17

dpcan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand the down-votes here. This is exactly what I was thinking. Google Phone, Email, ISP, Website, Checkout, Calendar, Docs, Search, Stats, your DNA ..... People are making a stink about Comcast buying NBC, but Google seems to get away with much more and people cheer. If the argument is "sure, but they make great products", that doesn't cut it for me.

Probably because there's no content to the comment? It doesn't even explain which "hmm" is being hmm'd.

No offense, but there are some comments posted here that may take a second or two of interpretation to understand, perhaps making them that much more witty?

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#47

Post by gcheong » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:45 PM UTC

swombat wrote: post #3

Time for the other so-called broadband providers to shake in their boots. I like companies that have no respect for established business models. In this perspective, despite its size, I think it's fair to call Google a start-up.

I've been wondering lately what would happen if someone like Google decided to build their own cellular network. Is there a way that someone could disrupt that industry?

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#48

Post by eli » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:48 PM UTC

gcheong wrote: post #47

swombat wrote: post #3

Time for the other so-called broadband providers to shake in their boots. I like companies that have no respect for established business models. In this perspective, despite its size, I think it's fair to call Google a start-up.

I've been wondering lately what would happen if someone like Google decided to build their own cellular network. Is there a way that someone could disrupt that industry?

Rumor Mill: Google Acquiring Sprint http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/google/rumor-mill-g...

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#49

Post by jessriedel » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:49 PM UTC

aw3c2 wrote: post #37

swombat wrote: post #3

Time for the other so-called broadband providers to shake in their boots. I like companies that have no respect for established business models. In this perspective, despite its size, I think it's fair to call Google a start-up.

Isn't the poor coverage of decent internet connections a much bigger issue? Highspeed internet in urban areas might be cool but what about the rest of the country.

Apparently, 63% of US adults live in households with broadband. Considering the number people who avoid or can't use the internet (i.e. older folks) this seems like remarkable penetration to me.

PDF: http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2009/Home-B...

Re: Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

#50

Post by Groxx » Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 5:55 PM UTC

lanstein wrote: post #46

Groxx wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because there's no content to the comment? It doesn't even explain which "hmm" is being hmm'd.

No offense, but there are some comments posted here that may take a second or two of interpretation to understand, perhaps making them that much more witty?

Certainly, but few of them are that vague. Something being witty implies hidden content that further thought will reveal. That one, while perhaps inspiring thought along those lines, contains nothing in and of itself.

Besides. Given the yc crowd and their response to monopolistic habits, I'd be willing to bet that something like 90% or more had the same thought. So you can argue that it's not even inspiring.

"It's a trap!" ~Admiral Ackbar