Google’s been strongly opposed to the whole pay-as-you-go revamping of the Internet (the equivalent of introducing toll-lanes ofn the Internet). You know, the whole net neutrality debate. At the same time, Google seems to suggest that its opposition is only pro forma. If the isps give it a leg up, then the problem might be solved….
Google And Cable Firms Warn Of Risks From Web TV – News by InformationWeek
AMSTERDAM, Feb 7 – New Internet TV services such as Joost and YouTube may bring the global network to its knees, Internet companies said on Wednesday, adding they are already investing heavily just to keep data flowing.Google, which acquired online video sharing site YouTube last year, said the Internet was not designed for TV.
It even issued a warning to companies that think they can start distributing mainstream TV shows and movies on a global scale at broadcast quality over the public Internet.
“The Web infrastructure, and even Google’s [infrastructure] doesn’t scale. It’s not going to offer the quality of service that consumers expect,” Vincent Dureau, Google’s head of TV technology, said at the Cable Europe Congress.
Google instead offered to work together with cable operators to combine its technology for searching for video and TV footage and its tailored advertising with the cable networks’ high-quality delivery of shows.
Despite claims of altruism and proclaiming their “do no evil” mantra, Google is simply backing so-called net neutrality because it is in their best business interests at the moment to do so. In light of Google’s application for a QoS patent, Matt Sherman notes, “Google has no interest in neutrality of any sort, be it on the content level or the physical network. By cynically backing net neutrality regulation, they hope to subdue potential competitors through force of government. At the same time, they work to build advantages that are theirs alone.” Google should be able to operate under any business model it chooses, but it should be honest about the motives behind its actions. You can read more at my coalition’s blog, http://www.handsoff.org.