Is Google going to be your Internet Provider?

[Geek-9pm]

New reports out today suggest Google is starting to make moves to become a mobile phone service carrier in locations where it has deployed Google Fiber service. Supposedly Google has been in contact with Verizon to discuss the possibility of becoming a mobile virtual network operator riding on the back of Verizon’s network.

 It should be noted though that Google actively develops for the iOS platform, so the company clearly will not let some philosophical disagreements stand in the way of good business.
Source is http://www.talkandroid.com/

[Salmon Trout]

Well, considering I don't even live in the USA, much less locations where Google Fiber is deployed, the answer to the question in the title is a resounding "NO". However, before I get too complacent, I'll recall that my (British) ISP is Virgin, and so is my mobile phone service provider. My landline (yes I still have one) is from British Telecom, another big player in the UK telco market. I could get that from Virgin too, via their fibre (British spelling) network if I wanted to. I see Google Fiber has 1,000 megabits a second up and down for $70 a month in Kansas City; I get 120 megabit down and 12 up for the equivalent of $60. (Upgrading to 150/15 later this year) On that basis I could say Google Fiber can be my ISP any time they want but I don't know how severe their network management is if you hammer your connection. Virgin do, if I download 2200 Mbytes in 60 minutes during certain time periods, 4 PM to 11 PM weekdays and 11 AM to 11 PM weekends, my speed is reduced to 60 megabits for 60 minutes. Virgin advise "If you use Bit Torrent a lot do it overnight". They also provide a Usenet server with 30 days retention in the package but they sensibly obey the First Rule of Usenet in connection with this.

[Salmon Trout]

they sensibly obey the First Rule of Usenet in connection with this.

In connection with advising users when it's OK to hammer their connection, I mean.

[evilfantasy]

It should be noted though that Google actively develops for the iOS platform, so the company clearly will not let some philosophical disagreements stand in the way of good business.

That's a philosophical way to tell it. I prefer the more direct explanation. There is a LOT of money spent by Apple customers. It would be an idiotic business plan to exclude that cash cow in your earnings plan.

Let's not forget that just a few years ago Apple kicked Google Maps off of iOS simply because Apple created Apple Maps. That forced Google to recreate Google Maps as a standalone iOS app.

Is Google going to be your Internet Provider?

It depends on if they can meet or exceed my current plan in reliability, speed and price.

[Salmon Trout]

I forgot to mention Virgin provide me with a Netgear wireless router at no extra charge