Fast Internet Powered by Google

On Wednesday Google announced their plans to offer ultra high speed internet access to some communities. The plan is to build and test a high speed fiber optic broadband network capable of allowing people to surf the Web at a gigabit a second or about one hundred times the speed of many other broadband connections. Google’s announcement has generated mixed reviews. Supporters believe this is what American Internet Service Providers need in order to compete with internet services in other well developed countries. For example, Julius Genachowski, the chairman of the F.C.C. welcomed Google’s announcement, stating, “This significant trial will provide an American test bed for the next generation of innovative, high-speed Internet apps, devices and services.” While critics, however, believe that this is just another ploy of Google to remain the dominating hand on the industry. To critics, this is just another example of the internet search company using its money and industry influence to help shape the future of the Internet to its liking. Google announced its plans for a high speed network just as federal regulators were debating new rules for the Internet and preparing a national broadband plan commissioned by Congress that could call for higher-speed networks to be available nationwide. Chairman of Netcompetition.org, Scott Cleland, said, in response to Google’s “beat them to the punch” announcement, “This is mainly a P.R. stunt, with one hand Google is urging regulations that stifle broadband deployment, and with the other hand, they are saying that telecommunication companies should spend hundreds of billions to give ultrafast internet service to all Americans.” Despite the controversy, Google is set to fulfill its announcement with the a futuristic vision of the Internet, that includes live streaming of 3-D medical images from a rural health clinic to a specialized medical center and downloading of a full length movie in a matter of minutes and much more.
In my opinion, the competition that would be created if Google succeeds in establishing such a high speed network is much needed in the Internet Service Provider industry. The premise of the internet was to provide people with the ability to gather “instant” information, but in comparison to the speed of internet services in other developed countries such as Japan, Denmark and Sweden, American internet services seem rather “sluggish.” So, if Google’s success provides the necessary jolt for internet service providers to improve their services then by all means Google should continue. Also, I disagree with critic’s assumption that Google is trying to monopolize the industry. In one class session, we discussed traits that are attributed to successful business. Some words were visionary, efficient, adaptable, innovative, dominant and effective, all of which describe Google. Google is a business that wants to stay in business; therefore, they must to all things to maintain their relevancy and effectiveness. Google developers notice that Broadband speed in the United States lagged far behind those of other developed countries; in order to maintain the upper hand in the internet industry they have developed the fiber optic broadband system. This is not a public relations stunt for Google, but in fact, an example of them utilizing the Business Continuity Planning in order to remain a successful business. Developers analyzed a problem and organized and designed a strategic plan that would solve the problem. At this stage, before implementing the plan, Google must test to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the plan. Change and innovation is what keeps businesses going, so, if Google has developed something, other companies need to follow suit.