If you're not satisfied with the performance
of your Internet connection, Google might
one day have a speedy solution.
At the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet
conference this week, Google's CFO announced
the company is looking into 10-gigabit-per-second
Internet connections for end users, so "critical
applications that are data intensive will
run smoothly over the Internet." (Via USA
Today)
Google has already deployed one-gigabit Google
Fiber connections in Kansas City. In 2012, Ars
Technica tested it out and found even that
connection is fast enough to render a user's
speed at the router irrelevant.
"Having that much pipe means you're basically
plugging your computer directly into the thing
you're downloading from. Your own bandwidth
is so great that it becomes immaterial. It
becomes a question of how much bandwidth the
other side has available."
So to put 10 gigabits a second in perspective:
Netflix recommends users have a 7mbps connection
to stream super HD video.
Assuming laboratory-perfect conditions with
Google's full advertised speed and no signal
degradation, a 10-gigabit connection is 1,428
super HD streams of Spaceballs. Simultaneously.
It's safe to say such a connection goes way
beyond the limits of practical usefulness
for individuals. So what's the point?
Softpedia says "it's not necessarily about
this particular moment in time, but rather
about the future, when needs will be different,
due to the bandwidth used to stream audio
and video, cloud services, video chats, huge
software updates and online games."
And Google's not the only one thinking about
that future. Last month the FCC announced
it wants every state in the union to be hosting
"gigabit communities" by 2015. (Via The Verge)
WebProNews explains one of the biggest hurdles:
spreading fast connections around is an expensive
proposition, especially if it's just one company
footing the bill.
"Some analysts have calculated that the cost
of bringing Google Fiber to most of the U.S.
would be about $11 billion, or about 4% of
Google's current net worth."
Still, says DSLReports, one shouldn't dismiss
Google's gigabit goals as mere publicity.
"Setting a high water mark (however realistic)
to pressure the nation's ISPs to aspire to
something larger is the entire purpose of
Google Fiber, and it's a purpose clearly again
on display here."
Google said its 10-gigabit future could arrive
in as little as three years. Better get your
Netflix queue ready.
