back to article Google Fiber says it's happy to let Netflix onto its 'fast lane' for free

In a clear knock on recent shenanigans by US broadband providers, the Chocolate Factory's Google Fiber division has said it doesn't charge extra for an internet "fast lane," and streaming-video companies are even free to host their servers in Google Fiber's own data centers. "We ... partner with content providers (like YouTube …

COMMENTS

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  1. JeffyPoooh
    Pint

    "...encourage content providers to link their networks to Google's..."

    OMG! It'd be - like - a Network of Networks.

    Maybe it needs a name: we could call this concept the "Inter-net" !!

    Sarcasm directed at those that are for "net neutrality", but haven't really thought it through. You know who you are.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Translation:

      "You moron ISP's screw this up, and we will own all the content sources and the distribution networks"

      "We'll price you out of the market"

  2. phil dude
    Linux

    this what happens when linear business thinking....

    meets exponential technology.

    If 1Gb/s is domestic this year, when does 10Gb/s happen? Ok I know only us data hogs can use the BW now, but I am genuinely curious how truly unimpeded pipes would change the world...

    P.

    1. Mikel

      Re: this what happens when linear business thinking....

      About three years. Google is already working on it.

      http://bgr.com/2014/02/13/google-fiber-speed-increase/

  3. jnffarrell1

    Content providers have a conflict of interest if they are also ISPs

    YouTube is not the only Google service that provides content. Families that Hangout are uploading content from every family member. Google wants reciprocity from Comcast and more respect from the lobbyists that are telling Congress that family members are data hogs when all they want is accurate/unbuffered facial expressions.

  4. Mark 85

    Free Google Fast Lane?

    And what is Google getting in return? More user info on viewing/browsing habits? Maybe the ability to serve ads to those who view the content? I guess we'll have to see how this plays out....

    1. KjetilS

      Re: Free Google Fast Lane?

      Happy customers?

  5. bminish

    North america seems to lack neutral peering exchanges.

    We ISP's in Europe are able to connect directly to the content networks and other ISP's at the nearest neutral peering exchange. Peering exchange members pay port charges based on the size of the port they require, not a charge based on traffic balance.

    In terms of our company ( an ISP) this means we get ~70% of our peak customer traffic delivered directly to us from content providers across neutral peering at INEX.

    This is a model that makes sense when you consider traffic flows between ISP's and content providers. But it's hard to deploy in existing markets that have evolved without the concept of neutral peering and it 'may' deprive Tier one transit providers of revenue by creating more direct connections between content and consumers.

    1. Oninoshiko

      there are neutral peering exchanges in N Amercia. the problem is, you have to have both parties willing to run a haul to it, and actually peer. Generally speaking, Comcast doesn't want to run fiber to 350E Cermak, even if it would lower the cost of transit, because doing so would mean a major upgrade to their networks and they would have to throttle netflix in order to keep their service crappy (right now, by just not updating and buying bandwidth from cogent they get that while having a credible counter-argument even IF net-neutrality passes).

  6. Dan 55 Silver badge

    I wonder if they'll be as happy to come to the same arrangement with Apple, who are currently negotiating with ISPs.

  7. RyokuMas
    Big Brother

    Big brother is watching what you're watching...

  8. Pdid

    You've missed the point

    Google have to offer free access to other content providers to avoid bigger issues. I'm presuming they don't internally charge for YouTube to have access. If they charged Netflix but not YouTube then that would be a potentially major competition issue.

    So this is not Google taking a position on net neutrality. It's pure self preservation. Do you think you should reflect this in the article?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: You've missed the point

      "Do you think you should reflect this in the article?"

      Qualified with "one person's interpretation of the situation is ..."?

      1. Psidum

        Re: You've missed the point

        Why not he is right?

        Google always act in their own interest and sometimes it is not in the communities interest (RSS Feed software, etc).

        It is easy to forget since when their interests do align with the general community their marketing department go in to "white knight" overdrive.

        It is still a win for US broadband customers but you need to take in to consideration the reasoning Google are going in this direction and more importantly how permanent their position will be.

  9. GeoTel

    Instead of viewing net neutrality as an issue, Google openly welcomes video content providers. I wish everyone could approach problems this way. Definitely an innovative company that thinks for itself.

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