Some Thoughts on Google's Fiber To The Home (FTTH) Experiment

Last week, Google announced plans to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. The company is saying these test networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

The company wants to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that they have in mind:

• Next generation apps: Google wants 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: They will test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, will share key lessons learned with the world.
• Openness and choice: Google will operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers.

I like it, I like it a lot. Not because I think Google will single-handedly solve the broadband access and availability problems in our country but, because Google is trying to do things a little differently. High-bandwidth delivery efforts in the United States to this point have worked in some areas but not in others.

A few weeks ago I wrote as far as broadband goes - things have not got much better since 2007 in most of the rural communities in our country - in many places I would argue access today is worse than it was in September 2007. Things have been pretty dismal in many parts of our country. Now maybe we've got a glimmer - just a glimmer - of excitement and (dare I use the word) hope.

From now until March 26th, Google is asking interested municipalities to provide information about their communities through a Request for information (RFI), which the company will use to determine where to build their network. You can get more information on Google's experimental fiber network plans on the Official Google Blog.

Someone is going to figure out how to do this and so far I'm really liking Google's "experiment".

A Summary Of The Verizon - Frontier Deal

Yesterday, Verizon and Frontier Communications announced an agreement that would sell off a large chunk of Verizon's rural markets. Here's a quick summary taken from DSL Reports pieces on the deal:

• Frontier will give Verizon $5.3 billion in Frontier stock and take on an additional $3.3 billion in debt.
• Frontier will get Verizon landline networks in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia. Wisconsin and some rural areas of California.
• Frontier will grow to more than 7 million access lines in 27 states and will be the largest provider of voice, broadband and video services focused on rural to smaller city markets in the United States.
• Frontier will be picking up some FiOS - 41 local franchises and the state of Indiana will be transferred from Verizon.
• Approximately 11,000 Verizon employees will end up working for Frontier.
• Verizon Wireless and Verizon Business services in the listed states will not be transferred to Frontier.
• With this deal Verizon may eventually reach 80% FiOS coverage on their remaining footprint.
• It is doubtful Fiber to the Home (FTTH) services will be expanded in any of the transferred regions (by Frontier) in the near future.

According to DSL Reports, Frontier has struggled of late to deliver even 3Mbps worth of connectivity to many of its rural users according to posts in their forums, but Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg issued a statement saying Frontier would apply their "laser focus" on the needs of rural customers to ensure a smooth transition and quality service.

The deal is expected to take about a year to complete.