Verizon Welcomes Google to the Fiber Optic Market: [18th Feb 2010]

>>> The Los Angeles Times has commented on the news from Google regarding their trial of super fast broadband in the US. They have suggested that the move is timed to place pressure on other providers such as Verizon, AT&T and Comcast to do more. It also said that the timing of the trials to coincide with the FCC National Broadband Plan will cause them to realize that a nationwide high speed broadband network is cost effective. It seems that providers tend to use their high speed connections to provide TV services for which they can charge more, while Google are hoping to show that super speed Internet can offer innovation to the education and health sectors among others.

In addition to all the media speculation on the move by Google, several states and cities around the US have thrown their hat into the ring and asked to be a test site for the trial. Google have said that all applications must be in by March 26. Experts have suggested that Google are only likely to accept towns and cities which are close to their already existing fiber optic networks, or those areas which do not already have a network from another provider.

Experts writing for the New York Post have been questioning the long term plans for Google as they have launched a number of new products in recent months. Most recently they launched Buzz which is aiming to become the next Myspace or Facebook, but with the added benefit of being able to aggregate all social media sites in one place. The system is already faster than Facebook and it is only in its first reincarnation. This followed on from their release of the Google Android which took on the Blackberry and the iPhone. Google have now secured major deals with application developers for their phone. And finally the announcement that they are entering the fiber optics race, helped by their many years of purchasing optic networks from firms such as Worldcom and Level 3 before they went bust. The NY Post goes on to say that Google has the money to invest and they are unlikely to stop here, with a very good chance the company could double in size in the next few years.


>>> Meanwhile Verizon has issued a "welcome" to Google and pointed out to the public what they are doing to improve their own services. In their press release they state they have invested billions in their network to future proof their technology, which serves 15 million homes in the US. Many more than the initial maximum of 500,000 which will be served by Google. They also point out that they can increase speeds with very little effort should the market demand it.

A partnership deal between Verizon Wireless and Skype has been announced this week making the free call service available to 90 million Verizon users. Those Verizon customers with smartphones and data plans will be able to make unlimited calls to other Skype users worldwide. While Skype is currently used mostly on PC's, the company wants to branch out into the mobile phone market and have also recently joined with Panosonic and LG Electronics to integrate the service into their televisions. Analysts have described Skype as wanting to become the Google of communications and for customers to use Skype as their standard service.


>>> The 2010 Volvo XC70 will be shown at the Chicago Auto Show this month and will be showcasing the very first Internet connected Rear Seat Entertainment System with Windows XP and WiFi. Backseat passengers will be able to surf the Internet, download applications for the Volvo and watch video and music with the use of the touch screen. Jack Lawson from Volvo commented on the innovation by stating that the technology has set new standards for in car entertainment. The car manufacturer has joined with Azentek Corporation and Gracenote to develop the technology.


>>> A new survey by the Government has shown that of more than 100,000 US people in 50,000 households, 40% have no broadband and 30% have no Internet access at all. The survey was sponsored by the National Communications and Information Administration and found that those without broadband either felt they didn't need it or found it too expensive. For some in rural areas, broadband simply was not available. The survey also found that people with broadband tend to be white or Asian, highly educated, married and with higher incomes than those without. The survey was carried out as part of the National Census Population Survey and further statistics will be released as the data becomes available.

How useful, or even accurate, the currently released data is ... is highly debatable.