AMCP Tech Blog

After nearly nine months of testing, Google has finally launched GoogleFi, its own WiFi networking protocol which will be used in Mountain View, California. The network, which cost nearly $1 million to build, covers over 11.5 square miles; Offering 380 access points throughout Mountain View. GigaOm has said that Google is currently offering speeds of a one-megabit per second connection for everyone, but might tweak the connection depending on how people use the service. So, if people are watching a lot of online videos or calling friends using Skype, they might increase the capacity. Although GoogleFi was designed by Google engineers, WFI, a San Diego-based company, installed it throughout the city.

Could this be the move that will allow Google to expand their WiFi offerings across the United States? Chris Sacca, Head of Special Initiatives at Google, noted in the GigaOm article that Google hasn't participated in any WiFi expansion moves. For example, the Smart Valley project, which will provide WiFi coverage across the Silicon Valley Bay Area. However, John Markoff from the New York Times gives us more compelling reasons to believe that Google's in no position to go national. He says that Google is doing this to demonstrate the value of competition in providing Internet access, and later points out that there would be no Net Neutrality if there was more competitive Internet access providers.

My thoughts point out that the cost would ultimately limit were Google could operate WiFi networks. If Google wanted to add WiFi networks to the ten major cities in the US, including Boston, New York City, Chicago, Miami, Detroit, and Los Angles to name a few, then it would easily cost them over $10 million. I'm sure that Google isn't willing to spend that (Maybe they are, so they won't have to pay so much taxes) just for the local advertising revenue or for the sake of competitive Internet providers. Whatever Google's plans might be, I'd be up for free WiFi access!