Congratulations Kansas City, Kansas. You are the first group of citizens to take part in Google’s 1Gbps internet project. Residents of “Google, Kansas” (previously known as Topeka) can’t be all to happy considering (1) they weren’t chosen and (2) the winner is from the same state. Nevertheless, hope has been restored. Google says Kansas City is but the first city of many to receive their uber fast gigabit network. Looks like we can all re-cross our fingers…
We often report about gadgets and electronics here at Gadgetsteria. But another love of ours is looking out for the little guy — Yes, you! — when it comes to tech-based laws. With the rise of data consumption over the last few years, we’ve seen ISPs and cellular providers go out of their way to limit customers instead of providing a useful service. And no one knows the frustration and disappointment of this new ideology more than customers of Ontario-based TekSavvy. Under a new ruling this past January 25th, large ISPs were given the privilege of monitoring and capping traffic accordingly. The worst part of it all was that the previous 200GB and Unlimited tiers were both being reduced to 25GB…total. Public outcry was far and wide, with some 460,000+ people signing a petition to stop the change. In fact, the negative reaction was so strong, Prime Minister Stephen Harper ordered a review of the highly controversial ruling.
Thankfully, that perseverance paid off, as customers of TekSavvy began receiving emails late last night — Friday, February 11th — telling them that the upcoming March 1st deadline and lower caps was effectively canceled indefinitely. The unlimited tier is now reinstated. And the 200GB tier — now 300GB. Score one for determined and engaged consumers. It just goes to show you what the power of many can do.
While Google’s private 1Gbps network may be the talk of the town when it comes to raw internet speeds, expansions of said speed isn’t likely to happen for years if not decades. Something a little more immediate is needed. Here in the States our broadband portfolio is pretty disappointing, with only a few options north of 50Mbps.
The lucky residents of Quebec can toot a different song on their horn, however, as the province’s Videotron has taken the wraps off of their new 120Mbps down/20Mbps up package. The only sticking point that seems kind of sour given the C$160 (C$150 if bundled with phone or TV service) monthly price is the data caps — 170GB down/30GB up. Granted, I can put a hurtin’ on a ISP’s pipes, 170GB is way more than I use in most situations. Going the other way however, 30GB isn’t exactly the roomiest of options.
You win some and you lose some I guess. Fast speeds bring fast caps. So be it. I’d be happy with something other than my lethargic 6Mbps AT&T service at my house, let alone 120Mbps speeds with 170GB caps. I’d do it.
You know, I’ve always wanted to travel the world, see the sights, and meet new people. Maybe, just maybe I’ll take a pitstop in NZ sometime around 2020. The reason? Fiber.
Last year, the NZ government set up a plan that will see roughly NZ$1.5 billion invested in a country-wide fiber rollout. One of the best stipulations is that the fiber has to be truly “open” so that any ISP can come in and use it, providing end users with fair competition and choices. When all is said and done, the ending result will ensure Kiwis get access to 100Mb/50Mb down/up service.
It all sounds like a win-win for consumers to me. Fiber, competition, low prices, and oh yeah — speed!
One of the businesses that people constantly complain about are ISP’s. The “gatekeepers of the internet” if you will, have the ultimate say in what does and doesn’t get funneled down the various wires and into your home. Normally people wouldn’t really care because ISP’s are supposed to be gatekeepers. Lately however, they’ve taken a pretty disturbing stance on “bandwidth intensive” users (regardless of legality) as well as come under heavy fire form the RIAA and other media label companies of the like. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if the ISP’s didn’t actually cave to companies such as the RIAA and stab every customer in the back, but that’s an entirely different point for today, who again comes to liberate the people — Google.
Right now, some of the fastest internet consumers can get around the country comes in right around 50Mbps. Not bad by any means. But our neighbors across the pond in countries such as Japan and South Korea are topping 80-100Mbps, and have been for well over a year. Again, why the US is lagging is another point all together. A new announcement from Google however is shinning light on the US’s pathetic broadband network with tales that they themselves are in the process of building out a 1Gbps test network that will be deployed to “select cities” across the country. These test networks will initially touch 50,000 users with expansions planned to ramp up the number of users to 500,000 when all is said and done.!
I can talk until I’m blue in the face and still not sound very convincing. So, we’ll let Google do the heavy lifting.
We’re planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.
Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:
Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive “killer apps” and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world.
Openness and choice: We’ll operate an “open access” network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we’ll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.
The best part: “openness”. Since Google has long been against net nannies of any type, software or hardware, running their own ISP will be a dream. Can you say “HELLZ YEAH”! The “competitive pricing” is music to my ears. Hell, even if I can’t afford it, Google’s actions alone will force ISP’s to get off their asses and upgrade their networks to keep up. If they don’t, Google will be more than happy to pick up the slack as will many customers be more than happy to cancel their sub-par service.
As often as Google gets criticized, their intentions outside of collecting more raw data are wholly clean. Google is bringing a service to market that consumers have been asking for — faster, cheaper internet. If only there were more Google’s in the business world…
Stoked, sad, frustrated, scared? All I’m still thinking about is a 1Gbps fiber straight into my humble abode. Sounds might nice doesn’t it?
Verizon FiOS users who once bragged about their insanely fast internet connection will now be left sucking the dust from Optimum Online/Cable Vision subscribers. Just announced, Cable Vision’s new Ultra plans put the speed back in speed. With numbers like 101 Mbps down and 15 Mbps up, you can sure put a mighty dent in several RIAA/label/copyright holders’ pockets. (Not that we’re endorsing that in any way). Speed with such swiftness must cost an arm and a leg and maybe even a sacrificial goat to get right? Wrong! Priced at a mere $99/month for the Ultra package that includes those 101/15 Mbps speeds, Cable Vision is now not only the fastest ISP in all of the U. S. of A., but the most competively priced! **Time Warner….are you watching/listening? THIS is how you get business!** So it’s cheap and fast, but will it even come to my area? Come right inside and you shall know! Even more good news folks. Starting May 11th, every Cable Vision subscriber across their entire service area will have access to the new Ultra speeds! The next best offering now (speed wise) is Verizon’s now slower FiOS service. You may be saying to yourself that $99 is too much to waste on internet plans, however compare it to Verizon’s FiOS which tops out at only 50 Mbps/20 Mbps up/down respectively and will set you back considerably more, $150/month. Now do yo use the true value here. If you can afford it…go, run, or call Cable Visoin and check to see if you’re inside of their service area. You can’t let this deal go! Hopefully this will force Verizon to drastically drop their FiOS prices, up the speed, or better yet…both! Time Warner could learn a thing or two as well….just sayin’
In what is pleasent surprise and minor victory for consumers and internet afficienados everywhere, France’s National Assembly said a big *expletive* you and shotdown the proposed 3-Strikes law that would cut off internet access to alleged file sharers after 3 claimed violations. Thankfully, the National Assembly has more brains than the morons in the senate that passed this terrible excuse for a law. The reason they declined to pass it? A simple clause that stated even after being booted from the ISP service, that user would still have to pay for access to the banned network. BS I know. Internet rights advocates everywhere should hold off on the keg parties and raves a little while longer however as the government said it would be back next week with an updated and revised bill that should be more to the National Assemblies liking. Well, at least it was fun to say “3-Strikes law shot down” at least once. Unfortunately, it looks as if next time we won’t be so happy.
Not too long ago the RIAA was suing the pants off of supposed “illegal filesharers”. Their normal targets being helpless 12 year old kids. Good plan guys. They’ve since moved on and are now dropping that tactic. Instead they are going higher up to to ISP level. When the RIAA first came out with this proposal none of the ISP’s were really interested in helping the RIAA and being an internet cop. However Comcast and AT&T seem to be changing stances. The new polices implemented would be loosely based off of a copyright law that was enacted in France in 2007. What happens is that when the ISP detects a “file sharer” they send them a notice to cease and desist. After three notices, the ISP will cut off your internet access.
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