Google to launch turbo-speed Internet trials!

This just in…The Washington Post has a story about Google testing FTTH (fiber to the home/biz).

Google may just be the competition needed to reign in the ‘telecom’ broadband carrier’s pricing – that seems to keep increasing, while the telecoms seek to limit both the amount of bandwidth per dollar, as well as what Internet users can do with their bandwidth.

Don’t think it’s all about the philanthropy though~ think harder….first they launch a cell phone with Android….next possible High Speed GIGABIT Bandwidth not available in the U.S. to date (2oG-50G).  It’s great for us as end users – and probably will be economical…but hey, we are already addicted to their search, their free personal and business tools, their PPC and other services…why not capture more of the Internet Marketplace at the “user” level which will then build an even bigger market AND clearer picture for analytics and advertising.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.  I would think, while this is definitely needed, it will border on anti-trust (monopoly) laws.  I also wonder if it will be like their foray into Wi-Fi – I guess time will tell as this all develops.

Nonetheless, it is still VERY interesting and VERY exciting… at the moment.  What do YOU think??

Panera Bread is almost-famous for their Free Wi-Fi (especially after they decided to actually announce it on their doors so the pubkic knew). Unfortunately, they are now famous for inviting “Big Brother” to help them by eating up your tiny url links.

It seems Panera is concerned that URL shorteners such as Bit.ly (and maybe soon even Tiny URL) could cause harm by allowing clicks to malicious websites you (and Panera) cannot verify. This, despite Bit.ly offering up warning messages on website they cannot verify to be safe.

Why do you care? Do you use Twitter? Almost everyone uses a URL shortener these days – especially on twitter because, well, you only have 140 characters!

Panera’s official Twitter handle responded that the coffee shops have “blocked b/c link is hidden & can’t determine content. Want to keep a friendly-family environment for all.” (Source: TechCrunch)

Ok, they have that right, after all it IS their network.
Time to switch to 3G and eat anywhere I want, or (given the current economy) maybe head back to Starbucks…or McDonalds. After all, I can get $1 burger and use the money I save on my new BOINGO subscription!

[FCC Disclosure: BOINGO is a paid link of mine for the Starving Student Fund - you get $9.95 all you can eat Wi-Fi in 100,000 locations, and I get some coin...a real win/win-win!\]

FREE WI-FI FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Google, in partnership with BOINGO is giving away FREE Wi-Fi at 46 U.S. Airports starting Monday, 11/16/09.  It also includes Free  In-flight Wi-Fi on all Virgin America Flights!  The freebies will last until Jan. 15th, 2010.

Google says it’s giving away the Wi-Fi free of charge on BOINGO networks in the hope that people will click over to Google and see all the other cool free stuff they offer and try it out.

Pretty nice treat – especially considering the potential for flight delays between weather, overbooking of flights and just big crowds.

Happy Holidays Google, and you too, BOINGO for a creative and cool marketing idea that is appreciated! It’s really cool to be a Network Partner with a cool company like BOINGO!

The list and more info can be found at www.freeholidaywifi.com:

Google provides FREE Wi-Fi at these U.S. Airports from 11/16/09 to 1/15/10.

[FCC Disclosure: I am a Network Partner with BOINGO, and the link that I have created above funds my "Starving Student Fund"]

I found this fascinating quote today:

In the first half of this post, we showed unlike European Internet traffic which peaks in the early evening and then drops off until the next day’s business hours, US Internet traffic reaches its peak at 11pm EDT and then stays relatively high until 3am in the morning.

The IM graph above shows traffic reaches 80% of peak by 10am and stays above 80% until midnight (with a 5pm EDT peak — perhaps related to millions of users making dinner plans). Interestingly, email exhibits a very different pattern and plummets by more than 30% immediately after 5pm EDT.

Source:  asert.arbornetworks.com, Arbor Networks: Security to the Core, Aug 2009

You should read the whole article:  http://asert.arbornetworks.com/2009/08/the-internet-after-dark-part-ii/