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Google defends itself from charges of bandwidth theft, world domination plans
Precursor LLC, a research firm backed by the telecom giants including AT&T and Verizon, is unsurprisingly throwing punches at Google. The search-engine-turned-everything is charged by Precursor as using 21 times the bandwidth than it pays for, and claims Google accounts for 16.5% of all consumer traffic in the US this year. "Internet connections could be more affordable for everyone if Google paid its fair share of the Internet's cost," the report stated.
Well, Google says Precursor's got it all backwards, and here's why: Google isn't the only one using its services, we all are. How many times did you do a Google search within the last hour? Or check your Gmail? Or keep up with your bills on Google Docs? Hell, I used Google to find the images necessary to create the graphic above. During those times, Google suggests, we're using our own bandwidth that we've already paid for.
In the company's defense, Richard Whitt posted this on Google's Public Policy Blog:
It's the consumers voluntarily choosing to use our applications who are actually using their own broadband bandwidth — not Google. To say that Google somehow "uses" consumers' home broadband connections shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how the Internet actually works.
Ouch! Still, with Google rolling out its own web browsers, cell phone interfaces — and even threatening to unleash a fully featured Google operating system — is there any burden the company should bear as an enabler, or is it all fair business? Are we just looking at sour ISPs that want someone to squeeze?
Google Public Blog, via Computer World
By Adam at 6:15 PM ON 12/08/08
Certainly seems relevent that Google uses less bandwith per search than most search engines (part of the reason they're faster right?).If Google used more bandwith per search for a similar service, the argument would be much more relevent. Google's argument without this point is probably not enough, as a company could conceivably use much more bandwidth than their users expect and thereby exploit them. Google seems to do the opposite, saving the user bandwidth with a clean user interface and no picture adds; they're not giving themselves enough credit.
By doctorwinters at 6:24 PM ON 12/08/08
LOL!! so the ISPs want to charge me to access the internet....and then charge the websites that I access? Beautiful
Hey..if the Credit Card companies can charge me and the store.....
By PH0ENIX at 6:59 PM ON 12/08/08
I'm with Google on this one. Unless my ISP stops charging me for my internet usage, they need to stop pointing the finger at companies like Google. Google is more bandwidth friendly than say, Yahoo or MSN, since it's mostly text whereas the other sites are graphics and annoying flash ads.
Also, the ISPs have the ability to impose bandwidth caps on its paying customers. Screw the ISPs!
By xTdub at 10:11 PM ON 12/08/08
@DOCTORWINTERS: Actually, credit card companies do charge the store everytime someone uses their credit card their. That is why some stores do not allow credit card transactions under $xx , because they would actually be losing money.
By Swana at 11:14 PM ON 12/08/08
Wow now the ISPs would like to charge Google for their bandwidth use? Like the man said it is the end user that accesses the services from the ISP in their homes. Might as well start charging Microsoft or Mozilla for the increase in usage their apps cause...or maybe even Apple...iTunes anyone? I already have to put up with my provider "redirecting" my bandwidth if I use a certain amount in a month....so that everyone has "equal access" are they kidding? I am sure that they know the internet was designed to equally spread the load in it's own way....who are they kidding?
By murc at 12:16 AM ON 12/09/08
Some ISP's have clearly forgotten their role.
By Jen at 6:26 AM ON 12/10/08
I don't know how anyone can utter that accusation with a straight face. If it wasn't for (paying) users doing Google searches, how would any bandwidth get used?
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Jen:
I don't know how anyone can utter that accusation with a straight face. If it wasn't for (paying) users doing Googl...More »