Just when one thinks that broadband could not become much better than it is already, Google has set out to challenge this theory. Technology is constantly changing and becoming more efficient. Google recently let out their plan to launch an ultra-high-speed broadband network. This network is being implemented for up to 500,000 users. Google is not alone in trying to improve broadband. Case Western Reserve University is planning on testing what it will be like to download data at 1 gigabit per second. This is really putting the pressure on companies such as Verizon and AT&T to improve their network a lot sooner than they would originally have thought to.
The government has even decided to participate by hopefully making the faster 1 gigabit per second available in American schools, hospitals, and government buildings. “The plan outlines measures designed to create more broadband providers through auctions of airwaves needed to provide wireless Internet Services” (Kharif). For Verizon, trying to launch this ultra high speed broadband network is a lot more work to do it for millions of people, therefore making this task quite difficult. The other issue is whether or not consumers really need a faster broadband network. Verizon should probably consider gaining consumer’s perspectives as to whether or not they are unhappy with the speed of their network right now. For me myself, I feel as though it couldn’t get any faster than it already is.
New technology is becoming available for this fast network to work. For example, Cisco designed a new router, which will direct data traffic. One downfall to faster network is that consumers would need to upgrade their infrastructure a lot sooner than they would need to with the networks now. This could be more costly to consumers thus making justification of the broadband network questionable. However, on the other hand it is said that the ultra high speed broadband network users “will be able to conduct high-definition video consultations about managing their weight with doctors at nearby University Hospitals and to watch open-heart surgery being performed” (Kharif).
I find this article to be interesting to read, especially because I was curious in how Google was planning on making broadband network faster than it already is. However, I personally have a neutral opinion. I think that a faster network is always beneficial because it increases efficiency and will also increase consumer satisfaction. If it also helps doctors to learn while watching open-heart surgery in high-definition, then I think the benefits will definitely outweigh losses. The only thing that I would like to know more about is the cost of this new network. It was already stated that consumers will need to more rapidly upgrade their infrastructure, but I’m curious in finding out other costs associated with it.
Kharif, Olga. "Verizon, AT&T, Google Partake of Broadband Speed Race." Business Weekly. 18 March 2010. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2010/tc20100317_550729.htm
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This blog reminds me of what John McFadden was saying about how fast the speeds of Internet and information sharing are doubling, tripling, and quadrupling. I'm especially interested in what 'schools' will get this service, as faster internet would be great for when I've procrastinated with a project and need to get it done quickly. Or when I'm slacking off and watching TV online that never stops buffering...
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me about the whole discussion we had about how much technology is improving and the direction that our world is moving towards. This will largely impact many companies by increasing their efficiency in transferring data and managing online databases. I think that this will make more companies store their databases online making companies with this service very valuable. I think that this will be a large market in the future and most companies will implement one of these systems.
ReplyDeleteI too was reminded of John McFadden's talk while reading this post. During the talk the point was made that things are continously geting better, faster, and more efficient and that it is a never ending process. Even when things seem to consumers that they are as good as they could get experts can always find a way to improve them and make them more efficient. I believe that this new high speed broadband system could be extremely efficent in certain fields such as the medical fields. While faster networks are beneficial to everyone they are extremely crucial to professions such as doctors. However I do agree with the point that Ellen made that the cost of these systems needs to be taken into consideration. Since improvements are constantly being made costs need to be compared to the advantages the new systems can provide.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is growing at an exponential rate each and every day. I often am concerned with how fast new technology becomes obsolete due to newer technology. By the time we master one technology it is deemed useless and therefore all the time and hard work we did in order to master it is a waste of time and useless. I believe that this is the epitome of inefficiency and is far too often the case. We develop new technology to increase efficiency but it often has polar opposite effects. I believe we should spend less time increasing our technological world and spend more time and research on how to better understand and utilize our current technology in this most efficient and effective way.
ReplyDeleteLike those before me have said, this blog is directly related to what John McFadden talked to our class about. Although I agree to an extent with what Erin said regarding an everchanging, technological world that ends up being a waste of time, I also believe that there are many benefits to faster networks. The benefits that come along with high-speed networks are incredible, and our world would not be as advanced as it is now without these constant improvements. Ultimately, I think that the future of our world lies in technology, and the more we advance in this way, the more successful we will be.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting to have a specific case reflecting the ideas in McFadden's presentation. This is just one example of the constant improvement of technology. While Erin is right to say that is is frustrating that technology is so frequently outdated, I think that working towards constant improvement is really important, and requires innovation and building off of existing technology. While a technology user cannot always stay up to date, this constant improvement is leading us in a direction of higher efficiency and effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that Google is attempting to fix something that isn't broken. Of course the business world teaches that bigger and faster is better, but the leading broadband networks now run plenty efficiently. If this new network would be cheap and easy to implement, then I support it, but otherwise, I think Google could use their time and money in more beneficial ways.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with Will. There are a overwhelming amount of projects out there for a company with the developent resources like Google to invest in in order to generate a huge return for both themselves and the customers they serve. Why waste funds they could be using to fuel new innovation on a project that is catapulting the average broadband speed to a level that is far ahead of the current demand?
ReplyDeleteNice post dear. I like it broadband antenna manufacturers & repeater antenna manufacturers
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