Google has announced that it will begin building an ultra fast broadband network to service up to 500,000 customers around the United States, with speeds advertised at about 100 times the current average speed for broadband connections.
The company will use fiber optic lines, and the entire network will be an experiment. The experiment is whether it can sell more Web ads, if it encourages citizens to be on the Internet more. Although the move would put the company in direct competition with Verizon, Time Warner, Comcast and others, a move to a standalone broadband business seems unlikely for the search giant.
Google says to: “Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the web and discussing a unique condition with a specialist in New York. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture.”
Result for: broadband connections
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) in the United States is seeking input from industry players before October 23rd on an attempt to expand the wireless spectrum as part of the National Broadband Plan. The regulator is seeking comments on whether the “prime bands” below 3.7GHz are sufficient for near- and long-term demands. The bands are considered ideal for wireless data and video transmission.
The FCC wants to get input on the ability of the current spectrum to support future build-outs and what bands would suit mobile or fixed broadband connections best, and what issues could potentially stand in the way of moving spectrum.
AT&T, ClearWire, Ericsson, T-Mobile and Motorola have already expressed the need for a new spectrum as demand in the area continues to grow in the country, whereas others have said the best solution is to seek methods to more efficiently utilize the spectrum that is currently licensed. T-Mobile in particular wants to see the re-auctioning of the 700MHz band.
Result for: broadband connections
Warner Bros. has pulled its DVD marketing and distribution operation in South Korea and is handing over the business to a local licensee. The move seems to be in response to rampant Internet piracy in South Korea where 94 percent of homes have high-speed broadband connections. The company made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday.
The company said it would make the transition in the coming weeks. This news comes just two months after Warner announced it would provide pre-release low-cost movie rentals on the Internet up to two weeks before they are released on DVD. The VOD service is meant to compete with piracy.
The company said its commitment to the South Korean market remains as strong as ever. However, it’s latest move shows the struggle Hollywood studios have in countries like South Korea. An industry source said that the rampant piracy “creates a more challenging marketplace” than in other countries.
