Google Fiber could turn cable, phone giants into boiled frogs, analyst says

Marketwatch -- The Tell ^ | May 28, 2013, 11:34 AM | Benjamin Pimentel

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Google’s ambitious push to build superfast networks in specific cities, may seem like just another wild idea to come out of the Silicon Valley giant.

But Google Fiber, as the initiative is called, may just turn out to be a smart long-term business idea, one that poses a serious threat to traditional telephone and cable companies, a Bernstein analyst said Tuesday. In fact, analyst Carlos Kirjner argues, “Our analysis suggests that long-term investors in cable and telephone companies should at least seriously consider the possibility of ‘the frog slowly being boiled,’” he wrote.

[illiac]

Just another way for Google to supply the regime with more info about all of us....

[Uncle Miltie]

So long as it’s a right, not a privilege.....

[South40]

I have no interest in Google but I ran fiber throughout my house when I remodeled back in 2004. Maybe one day I will get to use it.

[Gay State Conservative]

Verizon has fiber networks already in place in many parts of the country.From what I can gather they’re concentrating on wiring more prosperous middle class...and upper class... areas and skipping downscale areas.

[Buckeye McFrog]

From what I can gather they’re concentrating on wiring more prosperous middle class...and upper class... areas and skipping downscale areas.

Wise choice. If you have infrastructure in downscale areas it's only a matter of time till the Obamaites begin pressing you to give it away for free to their supporters.

[mellow velo]

Anything that speeds up the demise of that liberal propaganda outfit, Comcast, is ok by me!

[KarlInOhio]

Google Fiber could turn cable, phone giants into boiled frogs, analyst says

Only if the phone giant sits on its ass and calls 1 Mbps DSL that drops in speed when it rains or the wind blows a high speed connection.

[Carriage Hill]

They rate dial-up.

[Pontiac]

Anything that speeds up the demise of that liberal propaganda outfit, Comcast, is ok by me!

And replace it with a liberal propaganda out fit named Google? What’s your point?

[LeonardFMason]

Exactly what the Cable TV companies did years ago.

[BreezyDog]

It’s funny how people fall for “fiber network” marketing when their fiber line terminates to copper at the street and/or your copper wired house. Copper chokes all that great fiber speed big time. I take it FIOS is not available for you to terminate to your in-house fiber network?

[Cyman]

What it will mean is HUGE price increases for rural areas with possibly decade(s)old technology.

[nascarnation]

Any FReepers in KC have this service? Haven’t heard any comments on price and performance.

Competition is good. I call up BrightHouse every 6 mos and threaten to switch to UVerse and they continue to give me “introductory rates”.

[adorno]

...they’re concentrating on wiring more prosperous middle class...and upper class... areas and skipping downscale areas.

That won't last long.

Liberals all over will call that "racist", by pointing out that the downscale areas are where blacks and Hispanics and other minorities reside.

But, wouldn't the downscale areas be the ones for Verizon to go after? After all, the people who live in those areas are the ones most likely to get subsidized by government, and government is the one entity to have unlimited funds for payment, unlike people who can be laid off. Eventually, broadband will be classified as an essential service, and a right.

[nascarnation]

http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/low-income-broadband-pilot-program

[Hetuck]

Google Fiber — can it help me be more ‘regular?’

[South40]

I live in a rural area and FIOS is not available here. One day maybe.

[Williams]

As to Verizon installing fiber in areas. I am told Comcast uses the same fiber network as Verizon, whereas Verizon spent billions to extend the fiber into individual basements. From the FIOS box they still run standard coaxial cable to your tv set/ cable box.

I also believe Verizon has stopped the effort at this point.

In my own experience, when I switched from Verizon FIOS to Comcast purely to get a lower monthly bill, I absolutely got a sharper image with better contrast on my HDTV.

It’s also true the FIOS box uses electricity 24/7 so it affects your electric bill.

And all that being said, recently I switched back to FIOS when Comcast would no longer give me a promotional rate. The Verizon picture seems just as good now, but not better.

[South40]

I visited Verizon’s website, entered my address and discovered what I really already knew; FIOS is not available in my area. I’m not a big fan of Verizon anyway.