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Think big with a gig: Our experimental fiber network

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

#91

Post by khafra »

nollidge wrote: post #88
khafra wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If we've got 10 times the land mass and 15 times the population, and rolling out speedy broadband is more cost-effective given greater population density, doesn't that mean the US should be faster and cheaper than Scandinavia, not slower and more expensive ?

Perhaps I'm not thinking about this clearly, but I'm figuring that greater population density makes it less cost-effective because you have more endpoints, and therefore need more network branching, more wires, more intermediate nodes, more digging, and more time per square km .

If your revenue is what you get paid every month by your subscribers, and your cost is your total mileage of fiber (plus switching equipment, upstream connection, etc.), then the more subscribers you have per mile of fiber in the ground, the higher your net income.

More saliently, the justification most often trotted out when US consumers complain about being so ill-served by broadband providers is the higher population density in Japan and South Korea.

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

#92

Post by surfmike »

Groxx wrote: post #54
recampbell wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's a chart: http://lifehacker.com/5451127/seems-like-everyones-getting-f...

Yup, that's it. While clicking around something like that site, I also found one that covered a couple years, and the trend is roughly the same (with a couple more spikes). edit: another, related chart, from a quick Google: http://www.marketingcharts.com/?attachment_id=781 I'll grant that median is likely not a good measuring point, but it is still revealing. Hell, Canada is out-doing us, so you can hardly argue it's…

Just as a side-point, although Canada has a large land area for a small population, it is actually much more urbanized than the US.

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

#93

Post by gcb »

marltod wrote: post #66
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.

Like what Gmail did to all the e-mail provider/administrators who said anything over a 100MB Inbox was too expensive.

This has nothing to do with technology. It's all 70's as all the rest.

it's all politics.

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

#94

Post by nollidge »

khafra wrote: post #91
nollidge wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps I'm not thinking about this clearly, but I'm figuring that greater population density makes it less cost-effective because you have more endpoints, and therefore need more network branching, more wires, more intermediate nodes, more digging, and more time per square km .

If your revenue is what you get paid every month by your subscribers, and your cost is your total mileage of fiber (plus switching equipment, upstream connection, etc.), then the more subscribers you have per mile of fiber in the ground, the higher your net income. More saliently, the justification most often trotted out when US consumers complain about being so ill-served by broadband providers is the higher populat…

Ah, I was stupidly neglecting the profits from subscribers after the infrastructure was in place. However, wouldn't this run counter to the OP's argument that it's the free market economics preventing this from happening? With the greater profits available afterwards, why wouldn't the money-grubbing bastards invest in it?

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

#95

Post by wmf »

mrkurt wrote: post #75
wmf wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

The variable cost of selling broadband is extremely low.

The problem isn't the variable cost; it's the $2,000 truck roll per customer.

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

#96

Post by 27182818284 »

ericd wrote: post #60
natrius wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

That's the thing, I think internet access is essential to being an educated citizen nowadays, and many websites are no longer viable for dialup users to visit. High speed internet for all should be placed on the same level of importance as education for all.

If you feel it is essential for the educated citizen today, then it isn't Google's job to address the lack of broadband in some areas, but rather the government's job. I'm fond of the idea of refreshing old programs like Rural Electrification by changing them into new broadband expansion programs. Whispers of this have been made by politicians including our President while he was campaigning, but as far as I know nothing even remotely substantial has happened to either promote or cancel the idea. Instead it just seems forgotten.

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

#97

Post by wmf »

ez77 wrote: post #77

We'll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. I'm confused. Won't Google be the sole service provider of its own network?

It sounds like Google will be the "fiber service provider" and you'll have a choice of ISPs.

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

#98

Post by JCThoughtscream »

This is a very - 1 GIGABIT/SEC - interesting development on part of Google. They've successfully - 1 GIGABIT/SEC - established unified control of - 1 GIGABIT/SEC - their entire chain of service without strangling competition. Where Google goes - 1 GIGABIT/SEC - so does everybody else, it seems - and I, for one, fully welcome our thoroughly broadbanded - 1 GIGABIT/SEC - future.

There seems to be a lot to look forward to. Say, the INCREDIBLE 1 GIGABIT/SEC SPEED AHAHAHAHAAYES

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

#99

Post by liquidben »

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 repercussions of this on the next generation of gaming consoles would be very intriguing.

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

#100

Post by cakesy »

fnid2 wrote: post #61
hypermatt wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think this is more around trying to force the broadband providers to get their act together. Scare them ;0)

They use the scare tactics a lot, but they didn't work in the wireless spectrum auction did they?

What are you talking a out, it seems to have achieved exactly what Google wanted. Is your brain even connected?
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