3 ms·

At the same time, it's not like Google is arguing against net neutrality either. For a large company like Google, some services (like, say, Youtube, which is ba

by cyorir 12y ago

At the same time, it's not like Google is arguing against net neutrality either. For a large company like Google, some services (like, say, Youtube, which is bandwidth-intensive) may have a lot to gain from a "fast lane," but that company may also have a lot of smaller services that do not stand to gain as much. I do not think Google will see net neutrality policies as equally impacting all of its products, but as an issue that affects different products in different ways. Likewise, a "fast lane" costs money, and I suspect it will cost more money for a larger, high-bandwidth product, so for Google the concern will be whether or not pricing works in its favor.

eunoia 12y ago
Interesting point, but I think that even with their smaller products Google will almost always be in a position to out-spend their competition if they so choose. I see it as almost like having an ace up their sleeve. It's always there, but they'll only play it when they feel a product is sufficiently threatened. Or am I being too cynical?
- ntakasaki 12y ago
  They're hedged against net neutrality and are covered either way, so it's not going to hurt them whatever happens. It's like Microsoft on patents. Strengthening software patents will make it more vulnerable to patent trolls suing over MS products but it also makes their licensing play stronger. Weakening software patents will make it easy to defend against trolls but will weaken licensing as well. So they have to walk a fine line, just like Google with net neutrality.
  - PaulHoule 12y ago
    A lot of Google's work on QUIC and SPDY is oriented towards the weaknesses of the LTE networks that AT&T and Verizon want to force most Americans to use.
dm2 12y ago
The YouTube "fast-lane" is already in place for some ISPs, same with Netflix. https://www.google.com/get/videoqualityreport/#what_youtube_is_doing https://www.google.com/get/videoqualityreport/#what_youtube_...

by cyorir 12y ago

eunoia 12y ago

Interesting point, but I think that even with their smaller products Google will almost always be in a position to out-spend their competition if they so choose. I see it as almost like having an ace up their sleeve. It's always there, but they'll only play it when they feel a product is sufficiently threatened. Or am I being too cynical?

ntakasaki 12y ago
They're hedged against net neutrality and are covered either way, so it's not going to hurt them whatever happens. It's like Microsoft on patents. Strengthening software patents will make it more vulnerable to patent trolls suing over MS products but it also makes their licensing play stronger. Weakening software patents will make it easy to defend against trolls but will weaken licensing as well. So they have to walk a fine line, just like Google with net neutrality.
- PaulHoule 12y ago
  A lot of Google's work on QUIC and SPDY is oriented towards the weaknesses of the LTE networks that AT&T and Verizon want to force most Americans to use.

dm2 12y ago

The YouTube "fast-lane" is already in place for some ISPs, same with Netflix. https://www.google.com/get/videoqualityreport/#what_youtube_is_doing https://www.google.com/get/videoqualityreport/#what_youtube_...