Live data from Hacker News

Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

techcrunch.com

1–10 of 284 posts

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#2
Netflix seems to be hedging their bets by partnering with T-Mobile, the company aiming to bring 5G wireless to the US. As for Alphabet, I'm submitting this comment via my 1Gbps synchronous Google Fiber internet connection. Google seems to have stalled rollout of Fiber, however.

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#4
People have made endless points about how ISPs and last-mile providers will hurt the consumer and the small video startup. I don't dispute those.

But, IMHO, independent of that, the behavior of Alphabet has been less and less charitable to the little guy over the last few years too, especially in the area of android app development. (e.g. they recently eliminated their "free-forever" policy on the use of android map/location/place APIs in apps).

To me it seems that now, in one more way, the internet landscape is more fully dominated by giant corporations. Even more of the little players will be permanently confined to nickel-and-dime sidelines.

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#5
This the end of innovation in online videos: "When companies like Netflix, which today closed with a market cap of almost $158 billion, can’t necessarily get enough negotiating power to ensure that consumers have direct access to them, no startup can ever hope to compete. America may believe in its entrepreneurs, but its competition laws have done nothing to keep the terrain open for them. Those implications are just beginning."

Sounds like this is the end of TV and Online video watching as we know it. Oh well, time to start reading books again ~ they'll never be able to take that from us.

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#6
post #3

Sounds like healthy competition?

I have a hard time getting excited about a world where every new business has to be fully vertically-integrated because their competitors are all being dicks to one another.

Healthy competition only amongst those who have the resources to compete in all markets at once...

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#7
post #2

Netflix seems to be hedging their bets by partnering with T-Mobile, the company aiming to bring 5G wireless to the US. As for Alphabet, I'm submitting this comment via my 1Gbps synchronous Google Fiber internet connection. Google seems to have stalled rollout of Fiber, however.

That news is so frustrating to hear:

1) It would help break up local ISP monopolies. Yes, internet is a bit of a natural monopoly, but if we can't have NN then lets start breaking ground for new fiber,

2) Google will need to lobby for changes in local regulations that prohibit local ISPs... which helps the local ISP startup market.

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#8
Lobbying the government to restore net neutrality is far cheaper than building out an ISP.

Also, 5G is coming by the end of this year with at least two providers (Verizon and T-Mobile) and once that happens, ATT and Comcast won't have as much stranglehold on the ISP market, so NN may not matter anymore.

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#9

This the end of innovation in online videos: "When companies like Netflix, which today closed with a market cap of almost $158 billion, can’t necessarily get enough negotiating power to ensure that consumers have direct access to them, no startup can ever hope to compete. America may believe in its entrepreneurs, but its competition laws have done nothing to keep the terrain open for them. Those implications are just…

All books are now sold with a small display attached that gives you a URL. The book is magnetically sealed until you take out your phone, navigate to that URL, and watch an ad.

Re: Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast

#10
Or better yet, we can work toward a future (no later than 2021, I hope) when net neutrality can be brought back into force just as it was from 2015-2017 by FCC action or perhaps with more staying power via legislative action. Ground taken once can be taken twice.

If we resign ourselves to the current legal landscape we hand a victory to these corrupt players.

That said I'm sure the tech giants will want to hedge their bets.

Post reply on HN