It's been talked about that Google is secretly planning to eventually launch its own phone service at some point in the future. If so, Google will eventually become an Internet Service Provider (ISP) — enabling them to effectively enter the telecom industry, add a boat load of services to their growing empire, and eliminate the threats against Net Neutrality which they so strongly oppose.
Sources suggest that Google may first introduce its telephone service to users in the United Kingdom, but the actual date when the service will launch and the exact details of the plan are as of yet unknown. The service will be a free, ad supported VoIP service — (technology that that makes it possible to have a telephone conversation over the internet).
Google has released numerous services focusing closely on the telecom and communications industry some of which include a Free 411 Phone Service called GOOG-411, Google Talk which can be used via both a PC and smartphone (BlackBerry.), Google Mobile which brings additional Google services, videos, and software to cell phones, Google SMS - a text message service.
More recently, Google has announced its acquisition of GrandCentral Communications, a company that provides services for managing voice communications. GrandCentral is an innovative service that lets users integrate all of their existing phone numbers and voice mailboxes into one account, which can be accessed from the web. GrandCentral's technology fits well into Google's efforts to provide services that enhance the collaborative exchange of information. The service also assigns unique phone numbers and voicemail services.
Additionally, there has also been a lot of heated discussions over a Google-branded phone called the GPhone, which could be compared to the recent craze over the release of Apple's hugely successful IPhone. As far back as August it was reported that Google Inc. had developed a prototype cell phone that could reach markets within a year, and plans to offer consumers free subscriptions by bundling advertisements with its search engine, e-mail and Web browser software applications.
According to a story published in The Wall Street Journal "Industry watchers have long heard rumors that Google was designing its own mobile phone." Google added fuel to that speculation in July when it announced it was willing to spend $4.6 billion to buy wireless spectrum in a U.S. Federal Communications Commission auction and they have also bought the rights to 270,000 square feet of space at 111 8th avenue in Manhattan, a key New York interconnection facility.
According to LightReading, a source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, "Google is building a network so massive that several service provider specialists believe it could end up with one of the world's largest core transport networks, effectively building its own private Internet", reports Light Reading. " Google is in the process of acquiring space in carrier hotels, purchasing dark fiber, and issuing RFPs for network equipment."
With around 60% share of the Internet search market, Google clearly has the critical mass of users and brand strength to make a play in telecom markets around the world. And with a market cap like Google has, the investment or acquisition capital it needs is hardly a problem.
Thursday 21 August 2008
Thursday 21 August 2008
It's been talked about that Google is secretly planning to eventually launch its own phone service at some point in the future. If so, Google will eventually become an Internet Service Provider (ISP) — enabling them to effectively enter the telecom industry, add a boat load of services to their growing empire, and eliminate the threats against Net Neutrality which they so strongly oppose.
Sources suggest that Google may first introduce its telephone service to users in the United Kingdom, but the actual date when the service will launch and the exact details of the plan are as of yet unknown. The service will be a free, ad supported VoIP service — (technology that that makes it possible to have a telephone conversation over the internet).
Google has released numerous services focusing closely on the telecom and communications industry some of which include a Free 411 Phone Service called GOOG-411, Google Talk which can be used via both a PC and smartphone (BlackBerry.), Google Mobile which brings additional Google services, videos, and software to cell phones, Google SMS - a text message service.
More recently, Google has announced its acquisition of GrandCentral Communications, a company that provides services for managing voice communications. GrandCentral is an innovative service that lets users integrate all of their existing phone numbers and voice mailboxes into one account, which can be accessed from the web. GrandCentral's technology fits well into Google's efforts to provide services that enhance the collaborative exchange of information. The service also assigns unique phone numbers and voicemail services.
Additionally, there has also been a lot of heated discussions over a Google-branded phone called the GPhone, which could be compared to the recent craze over the release of Apple's hugely successful IPhone. As far back as August it was reported that Google Inc. had developed a prototype cell phone that could reach markets within a year, and plans to offer consumers free subscriptions by bundling advertisements with its search engine, e-mail and Web browser software applications.
According to a story published in The Wall Street Journal "Industry watchers have long heard rumors that Google was designing its own mobile phone." Google added fuel to that speculation in July when it announced it was willing to spend $4.6 billion to buy wireless spectrum in a U.S. Federal Communications Commission auction and they have also bought the rights to 270,000 square feet of space at 111 8th avenue in Manhattan, a key New York interconnection facility.
According to LightReading, a source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, "Google is building a network so massive that several service provider specialists believe it could end up with one of the world's largest core transport networks, effectively building its own private Internet", reports Light Reading. " Google is in the process of acquiring space in carrier hotels, purchasing dark fiber, and issuing RFPs for network equipment."
With around 60% share of the Internet search market, Google clearly has the critical mass of users and brand strength to make a play in telecom markets around the world. And with a market cap like Google has, the investment or acquisition capital it needs is hardly a problem.
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