Google Launching 1Gbps ISP Service

[Horhay]

Google's always tiptoed around directly providing internet access to consumers with things like free airport WiFi and the free WiFi network it runs in Mountain View, but today the company announced that it's getting in the game for real with the launch of a fiber-based ISP service that'll offer 1Gbps speeds at "competitive prices" to select markets. The idea is to provide next-gen access to between 50,000 and 500,000 people and basically see what happens -- and, as you'd expect, the new network will be a poster child for Google's pro-net-neutrality efforts. Sounds good to us, but we've all got a ways to go before Eric Schmidt comes over with the lightpipe -- Google's just now asking for "interested communities" to apply, and launch markets will be announced later this year. Video after the break.

P.S.- Remember when Google bought all that fiber back in like 2005 and sparked all those rumors of a "GoogleNet"? It's probably unrelated, but at least there's a name to kick around.

Looks promising!

 

[mobius387]

give me that speed!!!!!!!

 

[Off_contstantly]

give me that speed!!!!!!!

Here's hoping that the monthly fees aren't like a car payment.

 

[Illiciter]

That's EXACTLY what the payments will be


The only contracts I see this going to is large corporations with a ton of bandwidth needs


When they say "competitive" who are they referring to?

 

[Off_contstantly]

That's EXACTLY what the payments will be


The only contracts I see this going to is large corporations with a ton of bandwidth needs


When they say "competitive" who are they referring to?

If it's going to be focused more on corporations, I would love it if my office would get it. Do we need it, debateable, Max would probably benefit more from it, but it would be really cool.

 

[DaMexiRican]

It's probably gonna roll it in a big city like NY, Chi, SF first