Google Inc (GOOG) Fiber Puts More Pressure on Cable

Google is showing the ISP industry how it’s done. One can only hope that Verizon feels Big G’s pressure and takes action to make its own services faster, cheaper, and more competitive. I’ll note that Google has cherry-picked fiber communities that don’t have FiOS options.

After that, there’s no reason cable companies shouldn’t follow suit. Granted, coaxial cables don’t offer quite the turbo oomph of a proper fiber connection, but the platform can still be competitive with the right back-office equipment. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) offers 100-megabit plans to business customers, for example (with 10-megabit uploads, natch). But you do pay through the nose for these deals — $370 a month for the top Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) plan.

Looking ahead
Google Fiber may not be a cash cow for Google, but the project does accomplish a greater goal for the company. Google wins when more consumers get their hands on faster and more ubiquitous Internet connections. If the fiber project manages to spark some competitive fires in a dangerously stagnant and often anti-competitive ISP market, then it’s a job well done — even if the service never reaches New York City or my native Tampa.

The article That Was Fast: Google Fiber Puts More Pressure on the Cable Guys originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Anders Bylund owns shares of Google, but he holds no other position in any company mentioned. Check out Anders’ bio and holdings or follow him on Twitter and Google+.The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Google.

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