Google to Build Ultra-fast Broadband Networks in Select Areas

[PS3 News]

Today the AP reports that Google is planning to build ultra-fast broadband networks in select areas.

Feeling lucky? Apparently Google will seek input from communities that might be interested in getting one of its test networks which will deliver speeds of 1 gigabit per second.

That would be roughly 50 to 300 times faster than the DSL, cable and fiber-optic networks that connect most U.S. homes to the Internet today, at speeds typically ranging from 3 megabits to 20 megabits per second.

To quote: Google envisions systems that will enable consumers to download a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes; allow rural health clinics to send 3-D medical images over the Internet; and let students collaborate with classmates around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture.

"Our goal is to trial new technologies and figure out what kinds of applications you can send over these big pipes," said Richard Whitt, Google's Washington-based counsel for telecommunications and media. "There may be next-generation applications that are being held back right now."

Google said it is prepared to sell access directly to consumers at prices that are competitive with existing broadband services, but would consider letting Internet service providers or local governments sell their own services over the Google network.


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[plains203]

I hope that it is commercially viable for them to roll this out to a wide part of the population. It would be great to see some more options for internet connctivity. Can you imagine the online gaming possibilities with pipes like this? Also would be huge for business, they can run database servers and remote backup servers as if they were in the building! that is an awesome prospect Branch office connectivity would be excellent. Go go Google!

[colima]

Hopefully this will be a great leap to increasing upload and downloads speeds on the US.

[B4rtj4h]

This is SO cool !

Poor though that they only test it in the USA

[Mantagtj]

You this the U.S. is bad!!, I pay £30 GBP for 10 megs broadband with 256 upload and cut at peak times down to 2.6 GIGs 5pm - 12am peak times.....

UK is crap for BB bring it over here.....

[BentleyGT]

Sign me up! I would love to test this out.

[booniemiller]

Google recently built a data center about 20 miles from where I live. That would be f'n awesome if they tested near data centers. It would make sense, lower cost installing new lines. It would have to be fiber, right? I work at Commscope, we make miles of fiber cable. Unlimited supply of fiber and data center within 30 miles of each other, sounds like a win for me!

[bostwick]

Speed increases that significant would definitely change the playing field in a lot of aspects. I think we would definitely see a lot less blote on software libraries stored on computer. your os good be supper thin. all you would need is a light weight client to get on the internet and everything else could be piped in instantaneously.

[br4insick]

lets just hope they build it at home in silicon valley. BAY AREA!!!

[Raze1988]

Damn, I want this to be the norm! I hope it gets established around the world asap. With Google, it is possible!

1 gigabit would be 128MB/second download speed.